Navi Mumbai: Sharmila Thackeray Calls for Increased Women’s Safety Amidst Murder Investigation

Mumbai, 31st July 2024: Two days after the body of a 20-year-old woman was found near Uran railway station in Navi Mumbai, authorities have arrested Dawood Shaikh from Karnataka, charging him with her murder. Shaikh was captured in Shahapur, Gulbarga, by law enforcement.

In response to the incident, Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and his wife Sharmila Thackeray have spoken out. Sharmila Thackeray stated that she has urged the Mumbai Police to ensure the safety of women in their jurisdiction. “People should be wary of the police,” she remarked.

Addressing the crime, Sharmila Thackeray emphasized that it should not be seen through a religious lens, asserting that those who commit such crimes should face punishment regardless of their background.

The police reported that the victim’s father had previously complained to Shaikh in 2019, leading to the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Deepak Sakore indicated that the victim and Shaikh had been in contact and met on the day of the murder. While a confrontation between them may have led to the crime, the precise motive is still under investigation.

The woman’s body was discovered around 2 am on Saturday after her parents reported her missing on July 25. The victim, who worked in Belapur, had taken a half-day leave that day. The autopsy confirmed death by stab wounds, according to Sakore.

Sakore noted that Shaikh had previously lived in Uran but fled to Karnataka following the POCSO case filed against him. The accused, who was employed as a driver in Karnataka, continued to communicate with the victim.