In a breakthrough after more than a decade, Ahmedabad’s Crime Branch has arrested Ramesh Danabhai Desai, the key suspect in a high-profile 2010 murder case in Vejalpur. The case, which remained unsolved for 14 years, involved the brutal killing of Manish Sahay, whose body was found hidden under a kitchen platform at his rented apartment.
Manish Sahay, a resident of Ahmedabad, was discovered dead in his apartment, with his body concealed beneath a kitchen platform. Ramesh Desai, a former acquaintance of Sahay, reportedly had a homosexual relationship with him. The murder occurred after a violent argument between the two, where Desai attacked Sahay with a metal object.
On June 29, 2010, following the dispute, Desai allegedly murdered Sahay and, in an attempt to cover up the crime, stripped his body, wrapped it in cloth, taped it, and buried it beneath sand and cement under the kitchen sink. Days later, Sahay’s decomposed body was discovered, prompting a prolonged investigation.
Despite the authorities’ best efforts, the case remained unsolved for years, as Desai fled the scene and evaded capture by assuming a false identity. The Crime Branch, however, continued the investigation, ultimately tracing Desai’s movements from Mumbai to Rajasthan. He initially presented fake identification, but was eventually identified due to distinct regional speech patterns and mannerisms that gave him away.
Desai, upon his arrest, reportedly confessed to the crime. He explained that the murder occurred after a personal dispute between him and Sahay, which escalated into violence. The confession brought closure to the long-running investigation that had remained a mystery for years.
The arrest of Ramesh Desai marks a significant moment in the case, which had eluded authorities for over a decade. The Crime Branch officials expressed relief at finally solving the case and bringing justice to the victim’s family.