Senior Police Inspector Abhay Kurundkar, the main accused in the 2016 murder of Assistant Police Inspector (API) Ashwini Bidre from Hatkanangle in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Panvel Sessions Court on Monday, April 21. The verdict comes after a nine-year-long legal battle and is being seen as a major step toward justice for the Bidre family. The court found Kurundkar guilty of kidnapping, murdering Ashwini Bidre, dumping her body in Bhayander creek by using woodcutters and destroying evidence.
Two other accused in the case, Mahesh Partitionkar and Kundan Bhandari, were convicted under Section 201 of the IPC for destruction of evidence and sentenced to seven years in prison. However, they were released on the same day, having already served time during the trial.
The case drew widespread attention across Maharashtra, especially within the police force. Sessions Judge P. Paldewar delivered the verdict on April 11, giving an opportunity for Ashwini Bidre’s daughter Siddhi, husband Raju Gore, father Jaikumar Bidre, and brother Anand Bidre to be heard before sentencing.
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Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat and defence counsel Vishal Bhanushali presented their final arguments during the proceedings. On the day of sentencing, Kurundkar and the other convicts were brought to court under tight security. Family members, relatives from Alte and Hatkanangle, and around 1,000 villagers gathered at the court premises to witness the final judgment.