Ghatkopar jeweller murder: Cops name main conspirator

The Pant Nagar police on Friday named Sachin Pawar — the first accused in the murder of a Ghatkopar-based diamond merchant, and also the former personal assistant to a minister — as the main conspirator in the case. Rajeshwar Udani (57) was strangled to death on November 28.

The police — while producing Pawar at the Vikhroli magistrate court on Friday for his second custody — submitted that after Sachin's arrest the other six accused were arrested subsequently, and few of them also confessed to knowing him. Sachin has been sent to police custody till Tuesday.

While requesting the court to extent Pawar's custody, the police said that he had given a new phone and a new SIM card to another co-accused, Nikhat Khan (20) a few days before the murder and the duo was in touch through that number.

Pawar had instructed Nikhat to call Udani from the number on the day he was killed. He had also ensured that all the six accused do not use their prepaid numbers to contact and coordinate with each other. He was asking everyone to make voice calls from social media.

"Pawar had planned each and every detail so minutely that connecting all the dots in the case is a challenge for us. He had accompanied Udani's relatives to lodging a missing complaint, in order to avoid police suspicion. He was also following up with the investigation till the time he was arrested so that he could alert the other accused accordingly. He considered the hiring of the second accused, Dinesh Pawar to be beneficial as Dinesh had served in the police force earlier," said a police officer.

"The white i-10 car in which Udani was murdered has been seized along with the mobile phones, valuables and other things belonging to Udani. The number plate of the car was fabricated by Sachin himself. Even before Udani was picked up from Vikhroli junction, Sachin had gathered all the accused to brief them about the plan again and from there he went to attend a political party meeting in Ghatkopar so that, if arrested, he would say that he was not present on the spot. Sachin had also offered money to all the accused but if there is any transaction, then we have to recover the money," the officer added.

As per police reports, Sachin's girlfriend, a television actress, has been called about nine times for questioning to get a clarity whether she had any role behind the crime. The police have reportedly also seized her mobile phone for further examination. All the accused who are presently under police custody are presenting different theories of murder and all angles are being probed but the motive for murder is still unclear.

SACHIN PAWAR's profile

Accused number 1: Sachin Pawar was working as a personal assistant to current housing minister Prakash Mehta. He is said to be working as an event manager later and was also dating an actress for two years. In his statement given to police, Sachin has denied his connections with Mehta and has claimed not guilty for the murder. According to the police, Sachin is the main mastermind behind the crime and had hatched the plot and also hired necessary people for the same.

Sachin has been remanded police custody till Friday.

Timeline of the murder:

November 28:

Accused Sachin Pawar along with other co-accused Dinesh Pawar, Nikhat Khan and Prannet Bhoir drove the white i-10 car from Lokhandwala area to Vikhroli.

Other accused Mahesh Bhoir and Siddhesh Patil also arrived at Vikhroli junction and after Sachin explained the roles to each of the accused, he left for a BJP party meeting in Ghatkopar.

Prannet who drove the car till Vikhroli junction with Nikhat and Dinesh and they later came and picked up Udani who was waiting for them since 40 minutes.

Dinesh, Siddhesh and Mahesh were told by Sachin to purchase a cake from Vikhroli and take an autorickshaw to reach Ghansoli.

From Ghansoli, the trio boarded the car where the cake was smothered on Udani's face and later he was strangulated.

After the murder, Dinesh burnt the cell phones and went to Murud to spend the night at his girlfriend's residence.

November 29:

Nikhat was dropped at her Oshiwara residence.

Udani's family lodged a missing persons case.

December 03-Kidnapping case registered and probe was launched

December 07-Information about a dead body received from Panvel. Teamand family members went and body was identified as of Udani on the basis of clothes and belt.

December 07-Co-accused Dinesh Pawar was caught in a rape case by Pant Nagar police

December 08-Accused Sachin Pawar arrested. He revealed role of Dinesh in Udani case.