Thane police have arrested a 29-year-old woman who had been on the run for several weeks in connection with the alleged murder of her husband in Nagpur, officials said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Deepali alias Bali Vijay Salunke, was arrested in Thane on Saturday in connection with the August 20 killing of her husband, Gaurav Ragde, a 27-year-old autorickshaw driver from Ajni in Nagpur. Police said an alleged extramarital relationship had led to disputes between the couple before the fatal confrontation.
Couple had married eight months before killing
According to police, Ragde and Salunke had entered into an intercaste love marriage around eight months before the incident. Their relationship subsequently became strained after Ragde allegedly came to know about Salunke's relationship with Rishikesh Khode.
Police said Salunke later left her husband's home and began living separately. The circumstances surrounding the couple's dispute eventually led Ragde to confront his wife and Khode in Nagpur.
The allegations regarding the relationship and the events leading to the killing are part of the police investigation.
Victim went to meet wife and her alleged partner
On the afternoon of August 20, Ragde reportedly told his father that he was going to Narendra Nagar to resolve the dispute with Salunke and Khode.
According to the police account, Khode was in Sundarban Layout with two associates and was allegedly consuming alcohol when Ragde arrived. A confrontation subsequently broke out at around 5 pm.
The victim's father told police that Khode and his associates allegedly attacked Ragde with a knife near a drain bridge in Narendra Nagar, allegedly at Salunke's instigation.
Ragde sustained serious injuries in the attack and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was declared dead during treatment, police said.
Woman allegedly went into hiding after killing
After the incident, Salunke allegedly left Nagpur and went into hiding. Police traced her to Thane, where she was residing on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road.
The Thane Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell subsequently took up efforts to locate her. She was apprehended on Saturday, several weeks after the alleged killing.
Senior Police Inspector Sailesh Salvi of the Anti-Extortion Cell said Salunke confessed to her involvement during interrogation. Her statement will form part of the investigation being conducted by Nagpur Police.
Accused handed over to Nagpur police
Following her arrest in Thane, Salunke was handed over to the Beltarodi police in Nagpur, which is investigating the murder case.
Police have not provided details about the whereabouts of the other accused allegedly involved in the attack. The Thane Crime Branch official also said they did not have information about the other suspects.
The case centres on the alleged confrontation between Ragde and the group involving Khode, with investigators examining the circumstances that preceded the attack and the role allegedly played by Salunke.
Investigation continues into roles of other accused
The arrest of Salunke marks a significant development in the investigation, but police are still required to establish the individual roles of the other suspects named in connection with the killing.
The police account states that Ragde had gone to meet his wife and her alleged partner to resolve their dispute before the confrontation turned violent. The allegations against Salunke, Khode and the other suspects will be subject to the ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings.
Police have not disclosed whether additional arrests are planned or whether the other accused have been located.
(With inputs from PTI)
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