Kurar police suspect past attacker in Shiv Sena leader's murder

Kurar police, probing the murder case of local Sena leader Sachin Sawant, are on the lookout for a person who had attacked Sawant in the year 2009 over an SRA project.

According to the police, so far they have questioned over dozens of suspects, however, there have been no leads in the case. But they are on the lookout for an accused in the 2009 firing case involving Sawant.

A police source said that they suspect the attacker's role in Sawant's killing as he was acquitted recently and is untraceable since the murder.

"We tried to trace him but he is nowhere to be found, which is raising our suspicion on whether he has any role to play in the case," said a police officer from Kurar police station

Three assailants had fired shots at Sawant in 2009 over an SRA project dispute. Sawant survived the attack. The police had then arrested one Kamlesh Yadav who was released recently.

"We have questioned over dozens of suspects to get a clue. The CCTV footage is unclear and we are making a sketch of suspects to identify the attackers," said another police officer.

CRIME BRANCH PROBE

• Meanwhile, the family of the victim is demanding a speedy probe. "MLA Sunil Prabhu had visited the family and has promised that he would be meeting Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis requesting the case be transferred to the crime branch," said a family member who did not wish to be named