‘Father killer’ shows no remorse: Cops

MUMBAI: Thirty-one-year-old Atul Jhemse showed no remorse after stabbing his father Sudhir (61) to death on Friday night, said Navghar police officers. Enraged at being denied Rs 150 to buy alcohol, Atul had dragged his father from the bedroom to the living room, all the while stabbing him repeatedly till he died. The incident had taken place at the victim’s flat in Eastern Majestic society, Mulund (E).
Atul remained silent in the court when the magistrate sent him to police custody for seven days, said sources. On Saturday, Atul asked police officers if people had turned up to see his mother to enquire about the incident. “He kept laughing and said he was depressed because of his parents’ negative attitude towards him. Atul’s mother Rekha (59) has denied this. She said they were worried about Atul’s future because of his bad habits,” said an investigator.
Rekha told the police that when she tried to stop Atul from stabbing his father, he threatened her and told her to stay away. “I ran out and called my neighbours, but it was all over when I returned,” Rekha has said in her complaint.
Investigators have learnt through the Jhemses’ relatives that Atul used to quarrel with them regularly over money, but the neighbours did not know about this. “The relatives had asked the elderly couple to take the police’s help, but they did not sense any danger as they believed in their son,” said the investigator.
Navghar police senior inspector Ganesh Gaikwad said Atul has been booked under IPC Section 302 (murder). “Atul is in custody till September 28. We are trying to ascertain if he has been suffering from any kind of mental problem,” said Gaikwad.
Assistant inspector AS Sawant said, “Atul remained calm in custody on Saturday night. He does not think he has done anything wrong. He had worked as a trainee for a year with an Andheri-based banking firm, a sister concern of a renowned private bank. He had received his appointment letter three months ago but did not accept it. He wanted a high-paying job,” said Sawant.
Building secretary Rupesh Girap told TOI, “Atul was calm and relaxed after stabbing his own father. In fact, it was he who asked us to call the police. The building’s residents are shocked because we never heard any fight between Atul and his father in the past.” On Saturday, Sudhir’s other sons carried out his last rites.