Three juveniles among four held for murder

Barwani: Police have on Friday arrested four persons, including three juveniles, in connection with the murder of a 40-year-old man in Silawad police station area of Barwani district.

Silawad police station in-charge RK Lovanshi said, the man Gangaram Bhugwade, a resident of Pokhaliya village, was found hanging from a tree in a gorge on May 7. During the investigation, police found the case suspicious after family members pointed out that Gangaram had been carrying a white scarf (gamcha), whereas his body was found hanging with a red scarf tied around his neck.

Police said Gangaram had gone to his in-laws’ house in Charankheda and was returning on a two-wheeler when his vehicle collided head-on with another motorcycle near Keli village. The rider of the other motorcycle, as Ritesh, reportedly fell unconscious after the collision. Ritesh was also going back to his village after dropping his in-laws at Dongargaon.

Lovanshi said relatives and members of Ritesh’s in-laws’ family reached spot after learning about the accident. They assaulted Gangaram, who then fled towards a deep gorge to hide. Around 10 people allegedly chased Gangaram into the gorge and started pelting stones at him, forcing him to climb a tree in fear.

He said, "One of the juveniles believed to be the main accused climbed the tree, wrapped his scarf around Gangaram’s neck, tied the other end to a branch and pushed him, resulting in his death".

He added, "The death was initially being treated as a case of suicide. It became suspicious because of the colour of the scarf and this clue helped police crack the case.”