Murder For Money: How A Hit-And-Run Case Turned Into A Gruesome Murder (image: unsplash/Tim Hüfner)
A hit-and-run case in Nagpur unfurled shocking details of contract killing. On May 22, the 82-year-old businessman Purshottam Puttewar was died after being run over by a car. Last week, the Nagpur Crime Branch came across that it was not an accident death but deliberate murder, following, they arrested Archana Manish Puttewar, Puttewar’s daughter-in-law and Assistant Director in the Town Planning Department in Gadchirol.
As per the police report, Archana plotted the murder of father-in-law eyeing on his property worth Rs 300 crore. The fifty-year-old is remanded in police custody till June 9. A police official told news agency PTI that to commit the murder she has hired people and spent nearly Rs. 1 crore.
“She financed the purchase of a used vehicle for the perpetrators to run over her father-in-law, aiming to disguise the murder as an accident. The motive appears to be to gain control over property valued at Rs 300 crore,” the officer said.
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Officials recount that initially they looked at the the incident as fatal accident, and it was further investigation revealed details of a pre-planned murder and alleged contract killing.
On the day of the incident, Purushottam Puttewar went to the hospital to meet his wife Shakuntala who was recovering from a surgery. It was on his return, he got hit by the hired car.
Purushottam Puttewar’s son and Archana’s husband Manish is a doctor.
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Police official stated that Archana conspired the act with her husband’s driver, and two others who are identified as Neeraj Nimje and Sachin Dharmik. They have been charged with murder and other offences under provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Motor Vehicles Act. A total of six arrests have been made. During the investigation, Police team has captured two cars, gold jewellery, and mobile phones.
Further investigations has also disclosed several irregularities in Archana Puttewar’s work in the town planning department. Though multiple complaints were lodged, her political connections ensured safety. Reports also points that she is alleged of violating regulations and approving illegal layouts. Her arrest on the murder charges now will lead to extensive investigations on the professional matters as well.
