The troubled past of Chandrabhan Sanap

Chandrabhan Sanap, the man acquitted by the Supreme Court on Tuesday after being found not guilty in a rape-and-murder case, has a history marked by repeated brushes with the law. The court’s decision to acquit Sanap was based on gaps in the prosecution’s case, but his criminal background stretches back years, with multiple FIRs filed against him before his arrest in 2014.

A resident of Nashik, Sanap led a life filled with instability and frequent conflicts with the law. At the time of his arrest in 2014 for the murder, he was 29 and working as a coolie at various railway stations. His criminal activities ranged from petty crimes like mobile theft and bag-lifting to more serious offenses. Police records show that Sanap had multiple cases filed against him across several locations, including Madhya Pradesh, Nashik and Mumbai’s Gamdevi.

“His criminal activities eventually led to his arrest and a seven-month stint in a Madhya Pradesh jail, prior to his arrest by Mumbai police in the rape and murder case involving the techie,” said an officer involved in the case.

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Sanap’s personal life was equally turbulent. He had been married three times—his first wife passed away, and his second wife left him. At the time of the case, he was living with his third wife and their 14-month-old son. After being interrogated by Kurla GRP officials in connection with the case, Sanap chose to relocate to Nashik in 2014. In addition to his work as a coolie, he also worked briefly as a driver.

“He moved to Nashik after being questioned by the police in 2014. It was a decision fuelled by the investigation into the case,” an officer recalled.