01 February,2026 07:00 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Jhanvi Kukreja was found dead in 2021
In the 2021 Khar murder case of 19-year-old Jhanvi Kukreja, a Mumbai sessions court on Friday sentenced the prime accused to life imprisonment, while acquitting the co-accused by extending the benefit of doubt. The court held accused Shree Jogdhankar guilty of murder and awarded him life imprisonment after examining the evidence and witness testimonies presented during the trial.
Her mother says she will challenge the acquittal of the co-accused. File pics
However, the co-accused - Diya Padalkar - was acquitted. The court observed that the prosecution had failed to establish her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Reacting to the verdict, the victim's mother, Nidhi Kukreja, said she respected the judicial process but would challenge the acquittal of the co-accused.
Nineteen-year-old Jhanvi Kukreja was found murdered on January 1, 2021, inside a residential building in Khar, hours after attending a New Year's Eve gathering. Police said she was last seen with Shree Jogdhankar and Diya Padalkar, who were part of her social circle. The prosecution alleged she was assaulted inside the building and sustained fatal injuries.
