Police reopen 17 missing persons cases

PUNE, Oct 16: The Sahakarnagar police have reopened investigation into 17 cases of missing persons reported from Aranyeshwar during the p...

PUNE, Oct 16: The Sahakarnagar police have reopened investigation into 17 cases of missing persons reported from Aranyeshwar during the past three months after eight youths admitted to murdering four teenagers.

The preliminary investigations show that the eight youths had used an autorickshaw to whisk away at least two victims. The driver, resident of Bhavani Peth, is being interrogated.

The body of a suspected victim was found at Taljai a year back. A case of murder was lodged by the Haveli police. However, the identity could not be established as the body was decapitated and burnt beyond recognition.

The police are considering use of sophisticated methods like DNA tests and skull superimposing tests for identification. Bodies of other victims are still to be found. They could have been devoured up by animals.

The suspects 8212; Mangesh alias Mangilal Kunaji Solanki 20, Anya alias Bhagyavant Ankush Jadhav 20, Nilesh Nathuram Kamble 18, Pappya alias Santosh Gulab Patole 20, Hanumanth alias Hanya Ankush Jadhav 18, Dashrath alias Dashya Balu Devavat 18, Dada Manik Nipankrar 18, and Manik Balu Devavat 20 8212; have been remanded to police custody till October 17. They will be produced in a court for extension in police custody tomorrow.

The youths were arrested by Sahakarnagar police for suspected involvement in a theft. During interrogations, they admitted to having murdered Gautam Bapu Kamble 15, Sunita Bansi Kasbe 15, Ashok Mohan Gaikwad 18 and Rajesh M Balvadkar 16, who were believed missing.

The relatives of the four children have filed fresh first information reports FIRs accusing the youths of murder. The FIR by Gautam Kamble8217;s mother alleged that Mangesh Solanki whisked away her son to Khandala ghat and murdered him on September 25, 1996 because the teenager was aware of Solanki8217;s illicit relationship with a married woman.

Story continues below this ad

Sunita Kasabe8217;s mother8217;s FIR accuses Mangesh Solanki and Hanumant Jadhav of murdering the mentally handicapped girl atop the Taljai hills on September 3, 1997 because the girl was insisting on marriage with Solanki.

Ashok Gaikwad8217;s brother Raju has lodged a complaint alleging that Manik Devavat and Mangesh Solanki murdered Ashok atop Taljai hills on September 25, 1997 following a squabble over Ashok8217;s illicit relationship with a married woman. Later, the killers poured petrol on Ashok8217;s body and set it afire, it added.