KALYAN: A 40-year-old man has been arrested by Kalyan Taluka Police Station for allegedly murdering his friend during a picnic outing near the Khadavli river in Thane district and later dumping the body in a secluded area, police said.
The accused, identified as Yogesh Eknath Rane, was produced before a Kalyan court, which remanded him to police custody till May 2.
According to investigators, the victim, Raju Prabhulkar, had gone to the Khadavli river with Rane on April 20. The location is a popular spot for locals during the summer season for bathing and picnics.
Police said that after bathing in the river, Rane allegedly handed over his money to Prabhulkar for safekeeping while they washed their clothes. However, when Rane later asked for the money back, Prabhulkar allegedly refused and attempted to leave the spot, triggering an argument between the two.
In a fit of rage, Rane allegedly picked up a stone and repeatedly struck Prabhulkar on the head, killing him on the spot.
Investigators said the accused later transported the body and dumped it in a remote area within the limits of Ju village in Khadavli in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The crime came to light after local residents spotted the body and informed police.
Following the discovery, Kalyan Taluka police registered a murder case and launched an investigation.
Mukesh Dhage, senior police inspector of Kalyan Taluka police station, said the investigation relied heavily on CCTV footage and technical surveillance.
“Despite having no immediate leads, our team relied on CCTV footage and technical surveillance to trace the accused’s movements. Rane was eventually tracked to the Parel-Nagpada area in Mumbai, from where he was apprehended,” Dhage said.
Police said Rane is a native of Waklghar village in Shrivardhan taluka and has previous serious criminal cases registered against him at Raigad district’s Dighi Coastal and Navghar police stations.
Further investigation is underway.
