In a striking display of swift police work, the murder of 38-year-old Nagpur hotelier Rahul Shahu was solved within just 12 hours, with investigators cracking the case using an unlikely clue—a discarded puppy milk label found on a sack used to dispose of the body.
What initially appeared to be a routine recovery of a decomposed body near Nara crematorium quickly turned into a high-priority investigation. Acting on complaints of a foul smell, Jaripatka Police reached the spot near Nara Ghat and recovered a body stuffed inside two sacks and wrapped in a red blanket.
During the examination of the scene, Senior Inspector Anil Taksande and his team noticed a printed puppy milk label on one of the sacks, a product typically sold at pet shops. Recognising its potential significance, the team shifted focus and began identifying pet shops in the Jaripatka–Nara area that stocked similar items.
This approach led them to a closed pet shop in Jaripatka. Locals identified the owner as Navin from Nara, providing a crucial lead. Police traced the suspect to 46-year-old Naveen Pundkar, a former pet shop owner now working as an e-rickshaw driver in Kohinoor Society, Nara.
During questioning, inconsistencies in his statements raised suspicion. Under sustained interrogation, Pundkar allegedly confessed to the crime, revealing a motive linked to financial disputes and personal conflict.
According to police, Pundkar had borrowed Rs 35,000 from Shahu at a high interest rate. Despite repaying the amount, Shahu allegedly continued to demand more money. Tensions escalated further after Shahu reportedly made objectionable remarks about Pundkar’s teenage daughter and offered to waive interest in exchange for inappropriate favours.
Police said the incident took place on April 20, when Pundkar allegedly lured Shahu to his rented residence in Nara. Shahu had parked his scooter near a convention centre on Kamptee Road before heading to the house. With Pundkar’s family away, a discussion between the two turned into a heated argument.
In what investigators described as a frenzied attack, Pundkar allegedly stabbed Shahu 16 times, including multiple deep wounds. He then wrapped the body in a blanket, stuffed it into sacks, and attempted to destroy evidence.
To avoid suspicion, Pundkar resumed his routine e-rickshaw work during the day. Later that night, he allegedly disposed of the body in a drain beneath the Nara Ghat bridge.
Meanwhile, Shahu’s brother had filed a missing complaint at Sadar Police Station on April 21. The following day, locals reported a foul smell near Nara Ghat, leading to the recovery of the body.
The victim was identified through an “Om Sairam” tattoo on his left hand. The post-mortem report confirmed multiple stab wounds, highlighting the brutality of the attack.
Following the confession, Pundkar was arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody till April 26.
The case stands out not only for the speed of the investigation but also for the precision involved. A seemingly insignificant puppy milk label ultimately became the key to solving a gruesome murder, highlighting the importance of keen observation and ground-level intelligence in policing.
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