According to Crime Branch Deputy Commissioner of Police Navnath Dhawale, the murder stemmed from a financial dispute involving approximately Rs 1.5 lakh between the deceased and the accused. Investigators revealed that the accused allegedly lured their friend to a hotel, where they assaulted him with wooden sticks and beat him to death.
After carrying out the murder, the accused allegedly attempted to destroy evidence and disguise the crime as a road accident. Police said the body was placed inside an Innova vehicle, while the victim's motorcycle was taken separately to Phonda Ghat. The accused then allegedly threw both the body and the motorcycle into a deep gorge to create the impression that the victim had died in a traffic accident.
The body was recovered 22 days after the incident. At the time, investigators treated the case as one involving rash driving and an accidental death.
The truth behind the case emerged five years later during an investigation conducted at Kankavli Police Station. Crime Branch officials received confidential information indicating that the incident was not an accident but a premeditated murder. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the entire conspiracy.
Police identified the accused as Manoj Narayan Bhandge, Sukhad Sonawadekar, Atish Bhagwan More, Ruturaj Shetty, Amit Raut and Manoj Bhandari. Four of them have been arrested and handed over to Kankavli Police for further legal proceedings, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining two suspects.
The deceased, Ashpak Mulani, was a resident of Malshiras in Solapur district and was living in Baramati on rent. He was involved in arranging loans for clients. Investigators said the murder was linked to a dispute over money allegedly taken in connection with facilitating loans.
Commenting on the breakthrough, DCP Navnath Dhawale said that the truth had finally come to light after five years. He stated that a dispute over Rs 1.5 lakh led to a murder that was carefully planned and later disguised as a road accident.
The case marks a significant breakthrough for investigators, demonstrating how fresh intelligence and sustained investigation helped uncover the truth behind a crime that remained hidden for half a decade and was long believed to be an accidental death.
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