Nagpur: A hit-and-run incident in Nagpur has unravelled into a suspected “supari” (contract killing) case tied to a property dispute worth over Rs 300 crore, a report in a local English daily said.
Ajni Police have now registered a murder case against two individuals in connection with the death of 82-year-old Purshottam Puttewar.
According to the report, Purshottam Puttewar, a senior citizen and father of a well-known ENT doctor, was a resident of Shambhu Nagar. On May 22, around 10:30 am, Puttewar was en route to his daughter’s residence in Balaji Nagar when he was struck by a car. The vehicle, driven by Sachin Dharmik and Neeraj Ninawe, knocked him down and subsequently ran him over. Initially, the incident was recorded as an accidental death by Ajni Police.
The case took a significant turn when CCTV footage of the accident was reviewed, revealing part of the car’s registration number. Further investigation led police to an auto dealer on Ghat Road, where it was discovered that the car had been purchased for Rs 1.5 lakh. The dealer’s information helped the police identify and arrest Dharmik and Ninawe, the report added.
Interrogations revealed that Dharmik and Ninawe were allegedly hired by Sarthak Bagde, who worked as a driver for Puttewar’s son, the ENT doctor. According to the police, Bagde orchestrated the hit-and-run, allegedly motivated by a dispute over Purshottam Puttewar’s refusal to transfer properties to his heirs. Bagde is currently on the run, while his involvement and connections are being scrutinized.
The police are also investigating the possible involvement of Puttewar’s family members, including the ENT doctor’s wife, who is a government employee. Prior to the fatal incident, there had been previous attempts to harm Purshottam Puttewar, including an assault where he was hit with a rod by an occupant of another vehicle.
After the tragic incident, members of the Puttewar family sought justice from Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal, leading to the Crime Branch taking over the investigation. The authorities have since pieced together the sequence of events and motivations behind the killing. The Crime Branch believes that internal family conflicts over property rights were a significant factor in the decision to eliminate Purshottam Puttewar.
As of now, Sachin Dharmik and Neeraj Ninawe are in custody, and the search for Sarthak Bagde continues. The police are closely monitoring the case, aiming to bring all responsible parties to justice and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
This case highlights the extreme measures individuals may resort to over property disputes and underscores the importance of thorough investigations in uncovering the truth behind seemingly accidental incidents.
