Mumbai crime: Carpenter murdered in Malad; dismembered body found at Juhu beach

Ashok Harilal Gaud, the victim. Pic/By Special Arrangement

A 30-Year-old Malvani resident was allegedly stabbed to death, dismembered, and dumped into a nullah by his wife's lover, police said on Monday. The victim, Ashok Harilal Gaud, a carpenter from Malad West, was killed by Wahid Ali Mohammed Israil Shaikh, alias Mitthu, a Ghatkopar resident. Police said the accused murdered Gaud inside a Malvani-based factory, cut the body into three pieces, packed them in a gunny bag, and disposed of them in a nullah connected to the sea.

Investigations revealed that the accused had been having an affair with Gaud's wife, Pratibha, for the past three years. The two came in contact through Gaud, as the men were friends and had earlier worked together in the garment business. Frequent visits to Gaud's home allegedly led to the relationship.

A police officer said, "Gaud learnt about the affair last month and confronted the accused, warning him to stay away. The couple has three children." Around 10 days ago, the accused allegedly lured Gaud to his workplace in Malvani and stabbed him multiple times before slitting his throat. Pratibha was aware of the murder but did not inform anyone; instead, she went to the Malvani police station and filed a missing persons complaint for her husband on February 4.

On Monday, February 9, the gunny bag washed ashore at Juhu beach, where a morning walker alerted police after spotting a human hand. Santacruz police recovered the mutilated body and sent it for post-mortem at Cooper Hospital. The body was identified through missing persons records, confirming Gaud had been missing since January 29. The accused was detained and later confessed to the murder, claiming he wanted to marry Pratibha. She has also been detained for questioning.