In a disturbing turn of events, 21-year-old Ashish Shetty, a choreographer from Malwani, was arrested on September 6 for the alleged murder of his sister’s 40-year-old boyfriend, Nitin Solanki.
Police said Shetty surrendered at Malwani police station hours after the murder. The accused reportedly harbored resentment over the relationship between his sister and Solanki, which had been ongoing for three years. Solanki, a ward boy at a private hospital, lived in Jogeshwari.
Investigators believe the murder was premeditated. On the evening of September 5, Shetty called Solanki, proposing to meet under the pretext of discussing the relationship. He then convinced Solanki to accompany him to Malad, promising to help formalize the relationship with his sister.
Later that night, around 10:30 PM, near a nullah by Marve Road T-Junction in Malad West, the two were engaged in conversation when Shetty claimed Solanki began speaking ill of his mother and sister. Enraged, Shetty allegedly attacked Solanki with a wooden stick, resulting in Solanki’s death.
Solanki’s mother told police she learned of the incident only after her son’s girlfriend visited her on the morning of September 6. Following a frantic search, Solanki was found at Shatabdi Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
By noon the same day, Shetty surrendered, leading police to the crime scene. The wooden stick used in the assault was recovered and sent for forensic analysis. A case of murder has been registered against Shetty under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
