Nagpur: In the ongoing investigation in the murder case of Nagpur photographer Vinay alias Bablu Poonekar of Raj Nagar, shocking details have emerged. It has been disclosed that the alleged shooter, Hemant Shukla, was captured on CCTV cameras leisurely strolling through the Sitabuldi market carrying a bag allegedly containing pistols.
The police have provided the information and indicated that prior to the murder of Poonekar, accused Hemant Shukla roamed Nagpur with a firearm in the bag. The CCTV footage of Shukla roaming in the market area has now surfaced and the police are probing whether a third person was involved in the murder case.
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Monday 07 Oct. 2024
Police inquiries uncovered that two pistols were used in the murder. According to statements given by accused Sakshi Grover to the police, Shukla was reported to have arrived in Nagpur the day before the incident. However, the CCTV footage suggests he had been in the city for two days. The footage showed him navigating Sitabuldi with two bags, one of which contained a firearm. Sakshi Grover, who assisted him on the day of the incident, revealed that Shukla had been residing in her flat, said police. The police learnt that Shukla was affiliated with gangs of Haryana and now the investigators are probing Shukla’s connection with the notorious Bishnoi gang.
According to a local daily, the investigation into the murder of photographer Vinay Poonekar threw up a new fact that the victim had alerted police about a year ago that he was facing a threat to life from Sakshi Grover. Meanwhile, Grover was on Sunday sent to Nagpur Central Jail after the magistrate refused any further extension of remand custody to the police. It was earlier assumed the threat was issued by Shukla, but the report claimed the photographer had an apprehension that Sakshi could harm him and hence sought police intervention.
The Sadar police, which produced Sakshi before the court after her second period of remand ended, had arrested Sakshi after Poonekar’s murder at his residence at Raj Nagar on February 24, based upon her last call to the victim.
The report stated Shukla, who is still on the run, told Sakshi on the way to Ajni Railway Station that he had killed Poonekar. He is said to have held the firearm pressed against Sakshi’s waist while sitting behind her on the two-wheeler after the murder. Sakshi was petrified by the thought that she would lose her child forever if Shukla comes to know that she shared details about him with the police, said the report quoting a cop, adding Sakshi seems to be more scared of Shukla than the legal troubles she is facing.
Sakshi, a widow, has claimed Shukla was jealous and possessive about her since she met him at the family-owned gym at Katni in Madhya Pradesh. Shukla doubted Sakshi was having close relations with Poonekar. Sakshi’s phone was also hacked by Shukla to see her chats, messages and videos being shared or received.
According to the report, Shukla also frequently threatened to make their private videos viral if Sakshi tried to sever ties with him. Police feel Sakshi took Shukla to Poonekar’s house to speak to him, but did not know of his plan to murder the victim. Sakshi’s biggest mistake was not alerting police as soon as possible about the murder after dropping Shukla at Ajni police station, said the report.
