Navi Mumbai: Three ‘Sadhus’ Arrested in Connection with Murder of 30-Year-Old Woman from Belapur

Navi Mumbai, 12th July 2024: A police officer from Shil Daighar police station has apprehended three ‘sadhus’ from a temple in Daighar in connection with the murder of a 30-year-old woman from Belapur village, who had been missing since June 6. The victim, Akshata Kunal Mhatre, had left her home following a domestic dispute. Her parents live in Koparkhairane. Mhatre was known to visit the temple every Saturday, but when she did not return on July 6, her husband contacted her parents. Learning that she had not been to their home, he filed a missing person’s report with the NRI Coastal police.

On Tuesday, a visitor to the Ghol Ganapati temple near Kalyan Shilphata discovered a woman’s body near the temple stairs on a hillock. The visitor alerted the police, and officials from Shil Daighar police station arrived at the scene.

“The body showed signs of head injuries, strangulation, scratches on the back, and a rib fracture. We are awaiting further medical reports to determine if she was sexually assaulted before her death,” a senior officer from Shil Daighar police station stated.

Investigations revealed CCTV footage showing the woman arriving at the temple but not leaving. The police suspected that the murder might involve someone residing on the hillock. Their inquiries led to the arrest of three ‘sadhus’ who were found to be living at the temple.

The suspects, aged 62, 54, and 28, were presented in court on Thursday and have been remanded to police custody until July 16. The police believe that after Mhatre’s domestic argument, she may have sought refuge at the temple, where she was found by the three men. They allegedly attempted to assault her, and when she resisted, she was killed.

“We have obtained custody of the suspects and will continue to interrogate them to understand the full motive behind the crime,” the officer added.