Suspect in woman’s murder case arrested

NASHIK: Police cracked a murder case within 24 hours of finding the body of a woman and arrested the suspect, Rohit Patil (28) of Cidco area, who confessed to the crime.
The charred remains of Harshada Bhaskar Ahire (22) were found in the Eklahara area of Nashik Road on Tuesday morning, following which police had formed teams to investigate the case.
Patil was picked up from his residence late on Tuesday night after evidence gathered by the police proved his involvement in the crime.
The suspect stabbed the Harshada at his residence, took her body to Eklahara and set it afire before leaving the place, police said on Wednesday.
Srikrishna Kokate, deputy commissioner of police (zone 2) said Patil has confessed to the crime. “Harshada was murdered by Patil over their affair. According to the statement of Patil, the two were in a relationship for the past couple of years while the girl was persuading Patil to marry her.”
Since Patil’s sister was getting married in the next few days, Harshada was asking him that they too should get married at the earliest, he said.
“On Monday, the suspect called Harshada to his residence to discuss the issue. After Harshada went to his house, there was apparently some heated argument between the two and Patil stabbed her to death,” said Kokate.
The police officer said Harshada had made her last call to Patil on Monday afternoon, following which she went missing. “Around 10 pm, when the suspect’s sister came home, he told her about the murder. The two then packed the body in a bag and took it to the Eklahara area, where it was set on fire.”
A local court on Wednesday remanded Patil in police custody till June 5.
Harshada’s body, which was found in front of Gavali Baba temple, had been burnt beyond recognition except the face, which was partially burnt.
The victim’s relatives had approached the Mhasrool police and lodged a missing complaint. Police said that after the body was found, her maternal uncle came to Nashik Road and identified the body.
The suspect is unemployed while Harshada worked as a counsellor at a coaching centre in the College Road area.