The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has joined the ongoing probe into the brutal murder of three members of a Dalit family, who were found dead in Ahmednagar late last month. On October 22, Sanjay Jadhav, his wife Jayashree and their teenage son Sunil were found murdered near their residence in Javkhede Khalasa, Pathardi taluka. Their bodies had been chopped to pieces and dropped into a well near their house. The incident had sparked off fury throughout the village, which soon spilled over and spread among the Dalit community across the state. Over the last couple of days, there have been various demands, including a CBI inquiry. Earlier this month, the city commissioner of police instructed the Mumbai crime branch to send a team to Pathardi to assist with the investigations, and three days ago, a team of three officers with the crime branch reached Pathardi and had been working with the Ahmednagar police since, sources said. “The team has been instructed to help with the investigations on ground and provide any assistance necessary,” said a source. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sadanand Date declined to comment on the matter, while Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Dhananjay Kulkarni, who is also the Mumbai Police spokesperson, only confirmed that a team had been sent to Pathardi. Superintendent of Police (Ahmednagar) Lakhmi Gautam said a team had reached Pathardi and was working with the local police. “We are also getting assistance from other quarters. The three officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch are part of a team of 10-11 members from various cities and agencies who are at present in Pathardi and are working with us,” Gautam said. gautam.mengle@expressindia.com
