11 June,2026 10:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
The accused in police custody on Thursday. Pic/Special Arrangement
In a major breakthrough, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested four men in connection with the alleged murder of their friend, nearly four years after his death was initially treated as a road accident.
Police claim the accused killed the victim following a dispute and later dumped his body, motorcycle and mobile phone into a valley in Sindhudurg district to make the death appear accidental.
According to investigators, the incident took place in December 2021 when the victim Nihal alias Ashpak Mulani travelled to Sindhudurg with six friends for a New Year gathering.
The group checked into Hotel Onkara Deluxe in Kudal. During the gathering, an argument allegedly broke out over financial dealings.
Police said the dispute turned violent and Mulani was allegedly assaulted with a wooden stick. He suffered a severe head injury and died at the scene.
Investigators said the accused waited until late at night before moving the body from the hotel room into an Innova vehicle.
They then allegedly drove to Phonda Ghat and threw the body into the valley. Police claim the victim's motorcycle and mobile phone were also thrown into the gorge to create the impression of a fatal road accident.
Around 21 days later, Kankavli police recovered the body after it surfaced near the area.
An Accidental Death Report (ADR) was registered and, following an inquiry, the death was concluded to be the result of a road accident. A chargesheet was filed and the case was eventually closed.
The victim Nihal alias Ashpak Mulani. Pic/Special Arrangement
The case took a dramatic turn in June 2026 when Mumbai Crime Branch's Unit-7 received information suggesting that the victim had actually been murdered.
A fresh investigation was launched under Senior Police Inspector Atmaram Sawant and Assistant Police Inspector Mahesh Shelar.
Using technical evidence and intelligence inputs, officers traced four suspects and detained them for questioning.
The arrested accused have been identified as Manoj Bhandge, Surendra Sonawadekar, Atish More and Ruturaj Shetty.
Police said two other suspects, identified as Amit Raut and Manoj Bhandari, remain absconding and efforts are underway to locate them.
Investigators also stated that the arrested men have previous criminal records and were allegedly involved in fraudulent loan schemes.
Following the arrests, Mumbai Crime Branch informed Sindhudurg police about the findings.
The four accused will be handed over to Kankavli police for further investigation, while officials continue their search for the remaining suspects.
December 31, 2021 - Victim and six others travel to Kudal, Sindhudurg
December 2021 - Dispute allegedly breaks out at Hotel Onkara Deluxe
Body, motorcycle and mobile phone allegedly dumped in Phonda Ghat
January 2022 - Body recovered after around 21 days
ADR registered and death treated as road accident
June 2026 - Crime Branch receives tip-off and reopens the case
