In a disturbing incident, a 30-year-old man identified as Chand alias Akbar Mohammad Shaikh was arrested on Friday for the murder of a 60-year-old woman, Ranjana Chandrakant Patekar, in Ambivli on March 20. The motive behind the crime was robbery — to fund his plan of starting a food stall business.
Chand, a resident of Santoshi Mata Nagar, Ambivli, had previously served nine years in Adharwadi jail for an earlier murder case registered at Kolsewadi Police Station. Released on bail eight months ago, he relocated to Manegaon in Ambivli and began planning the crime.
According to police officials, Chand had been observing the daily routine of the victim. On the day of the incident, he visited her home under the pretense of asking for water. Once inside, he locked the door, increased the volume of the television, and brutally killed her — first by smothering, then slamming her face into the ground, and finally strangling her. He fled the scene with her gold chain and earrings, valued at over ₹1 lakh.
Due to limited CCTV coverage in the densely populated locality, the Khadakpada police had little to work with. However, using a network of informers and tracking local jewelry sales, they were able to zero in on Chand. Upon questioning, he confessed to the crime, admitting he planned to use the stolen jewelry’s proceeds to launch a new business.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende stated, “Despite minimal surveillance footage, we managed to track him through strong local intelligence and persistent efforts.”
The stolen jewellery has been recovered, and Chand is now in police custody. Further investigation is ongoing.
