The duo, Chaman Chavan and Monu Vishwakarma, 22, had allegedly fled two days before the body was discovered by the deceased’s relatives. According to police sources, Monu had switched on his mobile phone to check WhatsApp, enabling us to zero in on their location
(From left) Vijay Chavan, whose body was found on Monday, Chaman Chavan, Vijay’s wife of 10 years and Monu Vishwakarma, a neighbour who, along with Chaman, is suspected of murdering Vijay. PICS/HANIF PATEL
The wife and neighbour of Vijay Chavan, the Nalasopara resident whose remains were found beneath the floor of his house, were detained in Pune on Tuesday in connection with the murder. The duo, Chaman Chavan and Monu Vishwakarma, 22, had allegedly fled two days before the body was discovered by the deceased’s relatives. According to police sources, Monu had switched on his mobile phone to check WhatsApp, enabling us to zero in on their location. “With the help of the local police, the duo was detained and are being brought to Mumbai,” a told mid-day on Tuesday evening.
The spot where the deceased’s body was concealed
Meanwhile, the Pelhar police told mid-day that Vijay’s relatives identified the body based on its clothes, and a DNA test had also been conducted using the deceased’s brother’s blood sample. The police have theorised that the accused first killed Vijay using sharp weapons or strangulating him, and later buried his body inside his house. The police also believe the body was initially hidden in a bed while labourers were digging the floor. During the investigation, the police learnt, after coming across bank statements, that Chaman had withdrawn over Rs 8 lakh from different ATMs across Nalasopara.
According to the police, Vijay received a Rs 6 lakh payout as an insurance policy had matured, and the money was credited to his bank account. He had also informed his uncle, Mohan Chavan, about his intention to purchase a one-room flat in Nalasopara. Mohan told mid-day, “Last month, my nephew had decided to purchase the flat in Nalasopara. We had even finalised the deal.”
“Because of this, I had been trying to reach him for the past fortnight, but he was never at home. I called him several times, but he didn’t answer. His phone kept ringing, and eventually, we found his mobile phone with his wife at their home. We had raised our suspicions several times,” he further said. DCP Suhas Bawache stated, “The entire body is decomposed, and doctors are having difficulty identifying it. The family identified Vijay based on his clothes and body type, but we are still conducting a DNA test.”
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