Ahmedabad police have arrested three individuals, including Hitesh alias Amit Sanghvi, in connection with the brutal murder of 24-year-old Akash Pawar, whose body was found stuffed in a sack near the Sabarmati Riverfront’s Chhath Puja Ghat last Saturday. The victim was a resident of Odhav and originally hailed from Uttar Pradesh.
The Sabarmati Riverfront police launched an extensive investigation, reviewing footage from over 500 CCTV cameras to trace the victim’s last movements and identify suspects. Akash had reportedly won Rs 21 lakh in gambling from a group of six men, prompting them to conspire to kill him to avoid paying the amount.
Police discovered that Akash had already collected Rs 9 lakh, and was demanding the remaining Rs 12 lakh when the accused lured him to the Sumel-11 Complex. He was last seen heading there from Namaste Circle on May 1. His phone was switched off shortly after, and on May 2, a brief call was answered and then disconnected—raising suspicion for his family. His father, Premsingh, later filed a missing person complaint with Odhav police.
The following day, Premsingh was summoned by a constable from the Sabarmati Riverfront East police to identify a body. Upon confirmation, a murder investigation was launched.
CCTV footage showed Akash entering the Sumel-11 complex but never returning. An hour later, a different person was seen riding away on his motorcycle, followed by two others carrying a gunny bag resembling the one found with the body. The footage revealed the suspects loading the sack into a vehicle and exiting the premises.
Following these leads, police arrested Hitesh Sanghvi, 35, a Shahibaug resident with an office in the complex. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and named his associates: Timlesh Ukaram, Hiraram Saluram, Rawtaram Shankarlal, Hemaram Koshlaram, and Vinay, a security guard.
Police subsequently arrested Timlesh and Hemaram from Rajasthan. The remaining three suspects are currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway.
Police said the motive was clearly financial, as the group wanted to avoid paying the Rs 12 lakh they owed the victim.
