Pune Crime Files: Over 13 years after elderly retired engineer killed while watching World Cup match, case remains unsolved

On the day of his murder, his wife had gone to a religious function, and his son and daughter-in-law were also out for work. Around 7.30 pm, some employees of the gas agency came to the bungalow to hand over the daily collection of cash of about Rs 3.2 lakh. Dhamdhere, who was busy watching the cricket match, asked his house help to keep the bag with the money on the first floor of the bungalow. His help left the place around 8 pm, after which Dhamdhere was alone at the house.

At around 9.30 pm, when his son and daughter-in-law reached home, they found Dhamdhere lying in a pool of blood even as the cricket match was on. Soon, they called other family members, a doctor, and the gas agency manager on the spot. After the doctor confirmed that Dhamdhere had died, the family informed the police.

According to the police, Dhamdhere’s body had more than 20 to 25 stab wounds. They also found that the rear door of the bungalow was open and the cash that the gas agency staff had left was missing. This led the police to suspect that Dhamdhere was murdered with the intent of robbery.

After a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Dattawadi Police Station (now Parvati Police Station), then senior police inspector Vijaysinh Gaikwad launched a probe into the murder. Crime Branch officials also initiated a parallel investigation to identify and arrest the killer.

The police interrogated about 25 employees of the gas agency, and also questioned nearly 300 criminals, particularly those having a previous record of thefts and robberies. No CCTV footage was available.

The police said neighbours, too, failed to notice any suspicious movements at Dhamdhere’s house. They added the people in the neighbourhood were also watching the World Cup cricket match and hence nobody heard any sounds or screams from Dhamdhere’s bungalow when he was murdered. The police even carried out an investigation considering the involvement of someone who knew Dhamdhere very well. But there was no breakthrough.

Vijaysinh Gaikwad, who retired as an assistant commissioner of police, said the police carried out a rigorous investigation but the case remained unsolved.

People who knew Dhamdhere said he was a very helpful person and was involved in social activities after his retirement.