Pune: Six Held, Including Three Minors, for Murder of IT Engineer in Katraj Hills
Katraj, 21st August 2025: The Pune rural police have arrested three young men and booked three juveniles in connection with the brutal murder of 28-year-old IT engineer Saurabh Swami Athawale. His body was discovered on August 19 on a hill stretch near the Katraj Tunnel, a day after he was reported missing.
The investigation began after a commuter spotted Athawale’s body and alerted authorities. Police immediately examined CCTV footage and formed four separate teams to track the suspects. Their efforts led to the arrest of three accused—identified as Sangam Kshirsagar (19), Shrimant Gujje (21), and Nitin Trimbak (18)—while three others involved in the crime are minors.
Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill said the crime was driven by personal enmity. “Athawale had intervened in the personal life of one of the juveniles, treating the girl involved as his sister and informing her parents about the relationship. Following this, the boy was forced to shift residence, which created resentment and led to the plan for revenge,” Gill explained.
According to police, on August 18, the group called Athawale on the pretext of a meeting and took him to a secluded spot on the hill. There, he was attacked with sharp weapons, leading to his death.
Initially, a case was registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Later, police also added charges under Sections 61(1), 61(2), 238 of BNS and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.
“All six accused were taken into custody on August 21. We have sought their police remand until August 28 to investigate further,” Gill said.
