Prof Londhe murder case: Atrocity Act sections added; police write to banks for transaction details

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

In the murder case of retired professor Rajaram Suberao Londhe (60, resident of Jyotinagar), sections under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have now been added. On Tuesday, main accused reel star Vishal Rathod (24) and his brother-in-law Akash Pawar (32, both residents of Gevrai Tanda) were produced before the court again. The court extended Vishal’s police custody till March 22, while Akash was remanded to judicial custody.

Londhe, who went missing on February 6, had a missing complaint registered by his family at Osmanpura police station. On March 14, it was established with evidence that he had been murdered and buried in the Gevrai Tanda area. Vishal and Akash were arrested the same day. Karan Ade (22), who allegedly helped in burying the body, was arrested on Sunday.

On Tuesday, after the police custody period of Vishal and Akash ended, both were produced in court. Assistant public prosecutor Kailas Pawar represented the state, while K. G. Bhosale argued on behalf of the accused.

Accused allege assault by police in court

Around 4 pm, when the accused were produced before the special district and sessions court, both alleged that they were assaulted by the police and that their families were threatened. This claim surprised the police. The court took serious note of the allegation and conducted a preliminary inquiry in private. The hearing was briefly halted.

The court then ordered a medical examination of Akash and directed that the accused be produced again. It was informed that some injuries were found on Akash’s body, following which he was remanded to judicial custody.

Atrocity sections invoked; probe handed to ACP

With the addition of sections under the Atrocities Act, the investigation has been handed over to an officer of assistant commissioner rank, as mandated by law. Accordingly, police commissioner Pravin Pawar has assigned the probe to assistant commissioner of police (crime branch) Ashok Rajput.

Focus areas of investigation

--- What did Vishal do with Prof Londhe’s mobile phone?

--- From whom did he procure the pistol used in the crime?

--- What did Vishal do with the lakhs of rupees taken from Londhe? Police have written to banks to obtain transaction details.

--- There is strong suspicion that the accused may have taken valuable items belonging to Londhe; this angle will be probed.

---- Was anyone else involved in the murder? Did Londhe have financial dealings with others?