Delay in HIV result holds back proof

PUNE, Nov 20: Investigations into the incident in which a young transporter from Kasewadi murdered his wife and four children and tried to c...

PUNE, Nov 20: Investigations into the incident in which a young transporter from Kasewadi murdered his wife and four children and tried to commit suicide over the suspicion that he was a HIV carrier a month back have come to a standstill as the police is yet to receive the results of his HIV test.

The thirty -year-old transporter – Raju Sakharam Patole – who was arrested on murder charges, has now been remanded to magisterial custody. However, the police have not been able to ascertain his claim that he was HIV infected.

As a result, the police do not have any theory about the motive behind the murders other that what Raju Patole’s confession that he killed them out of the anxiety that he was an HIV carrier. Moreover, Raju Patole does not have any evidence to ascertain the fact that he is HIV infected.

Raju Patole had bashed in the heads of his wife Seetabai, daughters Aarti, Kirti, Prachi and son Ashvin with a grinding stone while they were fast asleep on October 11 night. Later, he had tried to commit suicide by swallowing 15 to 20 analgesic tablets and by stabbing himself with a pair of scissors.

After being admitted to the Sassoon Hospital, Raju Patole was examined by psychiatrists to find out whether he had any psychological problems. The psychiatrists have certified him normal. He also underwent a HIV test there. He was arrested after being discharged from the hospital.