After HC rap,cops launch search for murder suspect

Suspect Manoj Popat More of Baramati was booked for allegedly murdering his 25-year-old wife Smita on May 12,2008. The complaint was lodged at the Sahkarnagar police station. Even after years police has no clue about the suspect.

Senior police inspector Bajirao Bhosale of Sahkarnagar police station said,“More,an electrician,separated from his wife and started staying at a lodge after a dispute with his wife and in-laws. He called his wife to Ravikiran Lodge on Pune-Satara Road where he strangulated her and fled,” Bhosale said.

“Our teams went to Baramati and also his native place in Indapur but could not trace him. We are still looking for him. The possibility of him coming to Baramati or Pune city for meeting his friends or relatives cannot be ruled out. Hence,we are appealing the people to pass on information about him,” said Bhosale.

According to the press release,anybody having clues about the suspect should inform the police at 020-4228113,020-24226604,9867799976 or 9823847186. Sources said More is not a notorious criminal. He is not attached to any organised crime syndicate. Still the Pune police have failed to arrest him.

While hearing a petition filed by Ashwini Rane,wife of city builder Nikhil Rane who was murdered in November last year,a division bench of Justices B H Marlapalle and Roshan Dalvi,pulled up the Pune police,stating that their investigative skills have lost sting.

Rane was shot at the staircase leading to his office in Anant Chambers on JM Road on November 23,2009. He succumbed to his injuries on November 30. Rane’s wife filed an affidavit in Bombay High court as the murder case remained unsolved.

Justice Marlapalle had said Pune police is lethargic,was interested in VIP security and entertainment duties. Marlapalle also said Mumbai police works better than Pune police.