Daijiworld Media Network - Neral

Neral, Nov 22: The Neral police have finally arrested Santosh Ganpat Rane, the accused in the brutal axe murder of his pregnant sister-in-law, which had shocked the region over 24 years ago. The incident had created a wave of fear in the community as the accused changed his name, identity, and residence to evade the law. However, through patience, technical investigation, and secret intelligence, the Raigad district police traced him to Pimpri-Chinchwad and Sangvi.

According to reports, on February 2, 2001, in Pohhi village, Santosh Rane, during a minor dispute between his brother Anil Rane and wife Gulab Rane, allegedly grabbed an axe in a fit of rage and attacked his pregnant sister-in-law, killing her on the spot. Following the murder, he fled the village and remained absconding for over two decades.

Under the guidance of Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal, Additional SP Abhijeet Shivthare, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rahul Gaikwad, the Neral police station team, led by Inspector Shivaji Dhawle, carried out the investigation. Using leads from relatives, old connections, and technical inquiries, they discovered the accused was living in Sangvi and Pimpri-Chinchwad under the name ‘Santosh Ganpat Patil’ and engaged in a catering business.

A special police team comprising Sub-Inspector Bhaskar Gangadhar Gachche, Constable Rajabhau Kekaan, and Constable Ashruba Bedre carried out a planned operation to arrest the accused. During initial questioning, he confessed to the crime. The fugitive has been taken into custody at Neral police station, and further investigation is being conducted by Police Sub-Inspector Nitin Mandlik.

The arrest has brought relief and satisfaction to the local community and the family of the victim. The successful capture of the accused after 24 years was achieved through the strategic use of technology, thorough investigation, and intelligence gathering.