Last month in the city of Nagpur, Maharashtra, a murder took place right before everyone's eyes. Yet, despite its public nature, it remained unseen by all, even eluding police understanding. Only when the victim's identity became known and rumors within the city started to heat up did the case wind up in the hands of the Crime Branch, resulting in revelations that left everyone stunned. This is a story of an invisible murder, commissioned for a whopping sum of one crore rupees.
An Elderly Man Crushed by a Car
As they say, not everything that happens is apparent, and not everything apparent is true. We're looking at CCTV footage that tells such a tale. In the images, an elderly man, bag in hand, is seen walking down a street, looking down. But just as he advances a bit further, a speeding white i20 car hits him from behind and speeds away.
May 22, 2024, Nagpur
While not crystal clear, the captured CCTV footage makes it evident at first glance that this incident was an accident. It occurred on the 22nd of last month, and initially, the Nagpur Police shared the same impression. But the real story behind those images wasn't fully appreciated until 21 days post-incident when the case took a completely unexpected turn.
It Was No Accident, but Murder
It came to light that what had seemed to be an accident was, in fact, a calculated assassination with a contract worth 1 crore rupees. But who would pay such an exorbitant price to have an elderly man killed? What kind of vendetta could warrant such an act? Why was there an attempt to make the murder look like an accident? And ultimately, how was the cover of this deadly plot lifted? To know the shocking truth, one must understand the events leading up to this crime and the villains who were unmasked during the investigation.
A Gruesome Conspiracy by Class One Officers
Shockingly, the name that surfaced as the mastermind behind this elderly man's murder was that of a woman who holds the title of Assistant Director of the Town Planning Department in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur— a Class One officer. And aiding her in this plot was another senior Class One officer from Nagpur. But why would these government officials go to such lengths? What drove them to risk everything—their lives, their careers, and their families? To uncover the truth, we must piece together the events in sequence.
The Elder Passed Away at the Scene
On the morning of May 22nd, around 10:45 am, the incident unfolded when 82-year-old Purushottam Puttewar was walking back to his daughter's house from a nearby hospital, where his wife was admitted. His routine for the past few days had been the same, but before he could reach his daughter's house, a fast-moving car in Balaji Nagar hit him from behind, dragging him a considerable distance, ultimately leading to his death.
The Accused Released on Bail
At first, the case was treated as an accident and registered under section 304-A of the IPC. The police, using car numbers, CCTV footage, and other evidence, tracked down the driver, Neeraj Ninje, and arrested him. He claimed the incident was an accidental hit, and the police released him on bail.
Commissioner Hands Investigation Over to Crime Branch
As whispers about the 'accidental' nature of the event circulated through Nagpur, raising suspicions, the police commissioner was informed of the potential foul play. Members of Purushottam's family had also approached the commissioner about the case, leading him to transfer the investigation from Ajni Police to the Crime Branch. This is where the case took a compelling turn.
Another Passenger Present in the Car with the Driver
Crime Branch researchers obtained CCTV footage within several kilometers of the accident site and started making important discoveries. It became known that Neeraj Ninje wasn't alone in the i20 car; his associate Sarthak Bagare was also present when Purushottam Puttewar was run over.
Two Accomplices Following on a Scooter
Moreover, a scooter was spotted suspiciously tailing the car before and after the incident. The police wanted to identify those individuals and understand their involvement. They interrogated Ninje and Bagare again and learned that the two on the scooter – Sachin Dharmik and his companion Sanket – had come to Balaji Nagar to scout and identify Purushottam, ensuring Ninje could commit the murder and flee easily.
What was the Accused's Connection to Each Other?
It was clear that this case was not about an accident but a murder. The big reveal necessitated understanding the four characters' connection to the murder, as they had no direct dealings or enmity with Purushottam. Bagare was a driver, Dharmik ran a small business, Sanket was his partner, and Ninje had a criminal record. There was someone behind the scenes orchestrating the plan.
The Elder's Daughter-In-Law was the Mastermind Behind the Plot
Rigorous interrogations by the Crime Branch brought to light the name of an influential woman that shocked everyone: Archana Puttewar, the Assistant Director of the Town Planning Department in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur and the daughter-in-law of the murdered elder, Purushottam. Indeed, it was Archana, Purushottam's daughter-in-law, who emerged as the mastermind behind his murder.
One Crore Rupee Hit and an Astonishing Disclosure
The captured killers confessed that Archana had given them the one crore hit job. But the revelation was just beginning to unfold.
