A shocking murder and vehicle theft case unfolded near Nashik, where driver Rajesh Baburao Gaikwad (56) was brutally killed by a gang who posed as passengers before murdering him and stealing his car. The victim’s body was found tied and abandoned near Santwadi in Alephata.
The Nashik police arrested three accused: Vishal Anand Chavan (22), Mayur Vijay Solse (23), and Rituraj Vijay Sonawane (21), all residents of Nashik’s Gangapur and Gokulwadi areas.
Rajesh Gaikwad had rented an Ertiga car on January 27 and was last heard from at 10:30 p.m. saying he was leaving Pune. His mobile phone was later traced near Santwadi Road. His family filed a missing person complaint, and his body was found the next day.
CCTV footage revealed suspects traveling in Gaikwad’s car near Chalakwadi Toll Plaza. Police linked Vishal Chavan and Yuvraj Shinde (a known recidivist with multiple theft cases) to the crime. Based on intelligence, the accused were intercepted near Otur and taken into custody.
The investigation was led by the Nashik Local Crime Branch under Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh. Further investigations are ongoing.
