70-year-old guard stabbed to death

The murder came to light when a sweeper,Pandit Bhalerao,went into the the three-storey market building around 9.40 am on Tuesday. Bhalerao saw More’s body lying in a pool of blood in the passage on the first floor. He immediately informed a trader,Balasaheb Rathi. They then called the police.

A team from Faraskhana police station and Crime Branch officers reached the spot. Preliminary findings reveal that More had a quarrel with a person near Shrinath Theatre in Budhwar Peth a few days ago. The sniffer dog also led the police to Shrinath Cinema.

Rathi said,“More was a very loyal and strict watchman. The main entrance of the Mahavir Market building is well protected with a big metallic grill. There is a small door in the grill,which is kept closed at night. More never allowed any stranger to come in through this door during the night.” Bhalekar said the door was open when he came to sweep the premises in the morning.

Police suspect that More may have opened the door because the assailants were known to him. Police also suspect that the assailants could be novices in crime and may have panicked after killing More and left the spot without committing theft.

The assailants had managed to get inside the shop and godown of Vardhaman Agency. Jalanchand Jain,owner of Vardhaman Agency said,“I was at the market till 11 pm on Monday. While leaving,I had given Rs 50 to More for dinner. Things were normal at the time.”

“The investigation is taking into consideration all possibilities,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) D M Phadtare. “The assailants did break into a few shops,but they just tampered with some material and left without committing any theft. The assailants had tried to tie More’s hands,” he said.

Police said More was unmarried and Mahavir market traders paid him about Rs 1,000 per month,along with extra money for his food and other requirements.