Five Arrested in Lonavala Murder Linked to Property Dispute
An 83-year-old grandfather and four others face charges after a grandson's murder over property issues in Lonavala.
Abhay Manik Marathe was allegedly shot by his grandfather over a property dispute.
Police found evidence suggesting the murder occurred inside a hotel.
Five individuals have been arrested for their involvement in concealing the crime.
In a tragic incident in Lonavala, Pune district, an 83-year-old man named Motiram Rawoji Marathe and four others have been arrested following the murder of his grandson, Abhay Manik Marathe. The police reported that the incident stemmed from a property dispute that had escalated over the past few days. The arrests were made on Tuesday after suspicions arose regarding the circumstances of Abhay's death, which was initially thought to be an accidental shooting.
Authorities were alerted to the situation when Abhay was reported to have died after a licensed rifle allegedly discharged accidentally while being cleaned at his grandfather's hotel, Motiram Hotel, located near Bhushi Dam. However, upon further investigation, police discovered inconsistencies in the narrative. A forensic examination of Abhay's body revealed no signs of tattooing or gunpowder residue around the gunshot wound, suggesting foul play.
The local crime branch conducted a thorough inspection of the hotel premises and found blood stains in two locations, including a wall near the entrance, which raised suspicions that Abhay had been shot inside the hotel. During interrogations, a hotel employee, Aniket Jaisingh Ghussar, disclosed that a heated argument had occurred between Abhay and Motiram over the ongoing property dispute on the morning of October 5, leading to the fatal shooting.
Police allege that Motiram Marathe used his licensed 12-bore rifle to shoot Abhay during this confrontation. Additionally, four accomplices—Hiramam Motiram Marathe, Manoj Hiramam Marathe, Kavita Hiramam Marathe, and Rajshree Dashrath Pawar—are accused of assisting in covering up the crime by removing CCTV cameras and the digital video recorder from the hotel.
All five suspects, who reside in Bhushi, Lonavala, have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to gather more evidence and clarify the events leading up to this tragic incident.
