Wife, friend among 4 held for GRP head constable’s murder

Deputy Commissioner of Police (GRP) Manoj Patil stated that over three days of investigation, the Vashi GRP arrested Bhushan Nimba Brahmane (29), Puja Chavan (35), Prakash alias Dhiraj Gulab Chavan (23), and Pravin Aaba Panpatil (21). Preliminary investigations revealed that Puja Chavan’s friend Brahmane orchestrated the murder to marry her.

The Crime

A five-day investigation found that Panpatil lured Chavan to a New Year’s party as part of Brahmane’s plan. On New Year’s Eve, Chavan joined Brahmane, Panpatil, and Dhiraj in the latter’s EECO car and the four partied together until Chavan became heavily intoxicated around 11.30 pm.

Police said that Brahmane and Panpatil then strangled Chavan with a rope inside the car. Dhiraj, who got panicked, was instructed by Brahmane to leave the scene. Dhiraj then parked the EECO at his residence at 1.30 am and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Brahmane and Panpatil hid near the railway tracks for nearly four hours with Chavan’s body. When the first local train approached, they threw the body onto the tracks to stage an accident. However, the motorman noticed them and stopped the train, immediately alerting the railway control room.

Last Gpay payment, first lead

Chavan’s mobile phone revealed that his last GPay payment was made to an egg vendor near Ghansoli, which provided the first major lead. Investigators visiting the vendor discovered a nearby wine shop. The shop’s staff informed the police that Chavan had visited with another person (later identified as Dhiraj). CCTV footage from the area further traced the suspects’ route.
Chavan’s last video call to a colleague also became crucial evidence. In the video, he informed his colleague about the party while Dhiraj appeared in the background.

Wife’s constant calls to Dhiraj

Investigators also found an unusually high number of calls between Puja Chavan and Dhiraj and CCTV footage from Dhiraj’s Dronagiri (Uran)-based building’s CCTV showed him parking the EECO at 1.30 am, further raising suspicion. Dhiraj was detained and, during interrogation, implicated Brahmane, Puja, and Panpatil. Though he initially tried to mislead investigators, Brahmane’s confession uncovered the entire conspiracy.

The motive

Puja Chavan confessed that she was fed up with her husband’s behavior. Chavan was reportedly an alcoholic, frequently visited commercial sex workers and became violent during intimate moments. Puja shared her grievances with Brahmane, leading them to plot Chavan’s murder.

Puja’s cousin, Dhiraj, and Brahmane’s friend, Panpatil, were roped in to execute the plan. Puja was arrested on Monday night and was produced in court on Tuesday. She was sent to four days police custody. Police have earlier secured five-day custody for the first three male accused. “We will add more sections to the case, including destruction of evidence,” said DCP Patil.