Nagpur: In a significant breakthrough, Sadar Police in Nagpur on Sunday claimed that they have unravelled the mystery surrounding the shocking murder of freelance photographer Vinay, also known as Bablu Poonekar. The arrest of Sakshi Grover, a 35-year-old resident of Mankapur, has shed light on the central motive behind the gruesome killing.
Bablu Poonekar, aged 54 and residing in Surana Layout, Raj Nagar, was fatally shot in broad daylight at his residence on Saturday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the predominantly upscale and tranquil neighbourhood. Despite the initial sensationalism surrounding the incident, the police swiftly gathered crucial evidence, leading to the arrest of Sakshi Grover within 24 hours of the murder.
The ongoing investigation has revealed that Sakshi Grover played a pivotal role in the motive behind the killing. The police are now intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend Sakshi’s boyfriend, identified as Hemant Shukla, a 35-year-old resident of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who is alleged to be the actual perpetrator of the crime.
Authorities seized substantial incriminating items from Poonekar’s residence, providing vital leads that facilitated the identification and subsequent arrest of Sakshi Grover. The motive initially points towards a crime of passion, with Hemant Shukla suspected of murdering Bablu due to suspicions of an affair between Bablu and Sakshi.
However, the investigation is ongoing as police suspect a deeper motive behind the murder. It has come to light that Sakshi Grover was actively involved in the crime, prompting authorities to delve further into the circumstances surrounding the photographer’s death.
As the manhunt for Hemant Shukla continues, the police are determined to uncover any additional motives that may have contributed to the murder of Bablu Poonekar.
According to police, Sakshi, who hailed from Madhya Pradesh, lost her husband three years ago and moved back to her parents’ residence in Nagpur. During this period, Hemant, employed as a trainer at a relative’s gym, came in contact with Sakshi and soon love blossomed between the two. “From the beginning, Hemant had been quite bossy and tried to have complete control over Sakshi. Cops have learnt that Hemant would scan Sakshi’s mobile handset frequently and also started monitoring her social media accounts to closely monitor Sakshi’s activities. He started contacting her friends to find out Sakshi’s interest and contacts with her male friends,”said a police official involved with the investigations.
The turning point occurred when Sakshi exchanged messages with Vinay which aroused Hemant’s suspicions. Hemant arrived in Nagpur on a Friday and informed Sakshi that he intended to confront Vinay and instructed her to contact him. Sakshi reached out to Vinay on Saturday afternoon and placed a call and expressed her intention to meet him. On the day of the incident, Sakshi contacted Vinay twice, and around 12.25 pm she arrived in Raj Nagar with Hemant on a moped. Hemant moved to Vinay’s house while Sakshi remained waiting at a nearby petrol pump while he spoke to Vinay, the official said.
Upon entering Vinay’s residence, a confrontation seemed to have ensued between Hemant and Vinay which soon led to physical assault. Hemant, in a fit of rage, grabbed Vinay’s hair and shot him point-blank in the neck with a pistol, it is reported. Even after Vinay fell down Hemant fired another fatal shot, as he was driven with blind rage and wanted to be sure that former had died. After the murder, Hemant rejoined Sakshi, who dropped him off at Zero Mile Square before returning home.
Police officials are suspecting that the absence of gunfire sounds suggests the use of a silencer in the pistol. “It would be confirmed upon Hemant’s arrest,” the official further said. Once Hemant is taken into custody, investigators anticipate the revelation of additional shocking details surrounding the murder. It also came to fore that Vinay began receiving threatening WhatsApp calls approximately a year ago from Hemant and a complaint was lodged by Vinay with the Cyber Police.
Under the guidance of Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr Ravinder Singal, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone II Rahul Madne, ACP Madhuri Bawiskar, Senior Police Inspector Manish Thakre, and others worked hard to unravel the murder mystery.
Last phone call of Sakshi Grover
During investigation, the police officials scanned Vinay Poonekar’s mobile phone call details. These details pointed to Sakshi Grover as the last person to contact Vinay, so Sakshi was called for questioning to shed light on the incident. Initially, she hesitated but, under sustained grilling, spilled the beans. She revealed that Hemant Shukla had visited Vinay’s house, and narrated the entire story, said the reports. Sakshi and Vinay had first met a decade ago at a swimming pool, the police investigation has revealed.
