Borivali murder case: Accused remanded to police custody

According to police, the accused has been identified as Rajinder Karanjekar, a resident of Jogeshwari’s Meghwadi area.

Police said Karanjekar and the victim’s daughter, Manasi, 17, became friends on Facebook last year and from January onwards, this year, he started frequently visiting their house.

“We had detained Karanjekar on Sunday after we suspected his involvement in the murder after being captured on the building’s CCTV camera that afternoon,” said deputy commissioner of police, Balsingh Rajput (zone XI).

Officials said that the victim is seen entering the building from the main gate and entering the A – wing at 3.15 pm. He is seen leaving at 4.15 pm. The police said that during the inquires the accused cracked under pressure and confessed his crime.

“Karanjekar told us he entered home under the pretext to visit the bathroom with the intention to steal the woman’s jewellery. Since, the deceased knew him, she let him in and allowed him to use the bathroom. He said that he entered the bedroom where he’d find jewellery, and when he pocketed all the gold in the cupboard, he was caught by Patade. Karanjekar then attacked her. Rajput said that technical evidence like finger print analysis and CCTV footage places the victim at the crime scene.

The accused was produced before a magistrate court on Tuesday and remanded to police custody until September 16. Karanjekar has been charged with murder, robbery and trespassing. Karanjekar stole gold jewellery worth Rs 3.17 lakhs and Rs 94,000 in cash. The police have recovered all the stolen goods.Karanjekar lives with his family.

Patade was found by her daughter Manasi at around 4 pm. The victim’s husband, Jaiprakash Patade, 63, a retired government official, had gone to his native place in the Konkan area on August 24 and had returned early on Saturday morning after receiving the news of his wife’s demise. The police are investigating the mater further.

rohit.alok@expressindia.com