NAVI MUMBAI: The murder of a 26-year-old woman, initially reported as a missing case, has led Ratnagiri police to uncover two more killings connected to bar owner Durbas Patil.
The victim, Bhakti Mayekar, was allegedly in a relationship with Patil and suspected to be pregnant. Police said she had demanded marriage, which Patil opposed as he was planning to wed another woman. On August 21, her family filed a missing complaint, naming Patil as a suspect. Investigations revealed she had been strangled with a rope and her body dumped in Amba Ghat valley, where it was recovered 10 days later in a decomposed state.
During questioning, Patil and two accomplices—Vishwas Pawar and Nilesh Bhingarde—were also linked to the murders of two bar workers. In June 2024, Rakesh Jangam went missing after learning about another killing. His body too was thrown into the same valley. Earlier, another worker, Sitaram Veer, had been assaulted and murdered by Patil over a workplace dispute.
Ratnagiri additional SP Ravi Mahamuni said Mayekar’s pregnancy and foetal death would be confirmed after medical reports. “So far, three murders have been detected,” he added.
Patil owns Sayli Bar, which authorities sealed on September 4 following a police recommendation. Ratnagiri district SP Nitin Bagate said the process of cancelling its license was underway.
