Pune: After eight months, a 40-year-old man was arrested on Friday for allegedly killing his sister by smashing her head and setting her car ablaze after putting her in it, to show that the vehicle caught fire and her death was an accident, in Wakad on the night of September 9, 2018. The police claim that the man faked her accidental death to get Rs 30 lakh insurance money.
The deceased has been identified as Sangeeta Manish Hiwale of Soundarya Colony in Nakhatevasti, Rahatani. Hinjewadi police station officials have arrested her brother John Daniel Borde (40), a mechanic.
According to the police, Sangeeta was separated from her husband. She lived with her brother’s family and mother. She used to work with a private company.
Police officials said that there used to be frequent quarrels between the siblings over their share in their father’s property. She used to ask for money from John which irked him.
Around 9 pm, September 9, 2018, when Sangeeta asked for money, there was an argument between them and John banged her head on the floor. The police suspect that her death was due to the trauma. He left home but was informed by his wife that Sangeeta is unconscious. John tried to fake her death and bought a bottle of petrol.
John told his mother Maya Daniel Borde (65) and Sangeeta’s son Simon (15) that they should take her to the hospital as she may have suffered a heart attack. They were all travelling in a Maruti Suzuki Esteem, fitted with CNG. He first took them to Wakad to meet his acquaintance doctor but later said that they should go to Aditya Birla Hospital, Chinchwad.
John had then made it look like the car caught fire near Sayaji Hotel on the service road of Katraj-Dehuroad bypass. The incident was first reported at 1 am when the fire brigade got a call. He informed the firemen and police that his sister was sick and could not get out of the car when it caught fire.
John and Simon tried to take her out but in vain. They sustained minor injuries while trying to save her. The police had then registered it as a case of accidental death (AD) but could not make any headway. A few days ago, the police received an anonymous letter alleging that Sangeeta was murdered.
Senior Police Inspector Yashwant Gawari, in-charge of Hinjewadi police station, said, “After getting the letter, Assistant Police Inspector Udhav Khade investigated the case thoroughly. There was variation in statements of the witnesses. We also came to know about Rs 30 lakh insurance money if Sangeeta died in an accident. When confronted with all these details on Friday, John confessed to having killed Sangeeta.”
According to the police, John had stopped the car and asked his mother and Simon to get out of it. He also came out and opened the bonnet of the car and asked Simon to stand there. John went back inside the car and poured petrol on Sangeeta and inside the car and set fire with a lighter, the police stated in a press release.
A magistrate court has remanded John to police custody till April 17.
