CCTV Footage Helps Crack Pune Murder Case; Accused Arrested in Latur
Pune, 15th May 2025: A man who allegedly murdered a youth by smashing a stone on his head over a personal dispute was arrested by Pune Crime Branch officials in Latur. The incident had occurred near the Handewadi crematorium on the Katraj bypass road.
The arrested individual has been identified as Asif Yunus Shaikh (25), a resident of Galli No. 5, Sayyednagar, Hadapsar. The victim was Hanif Musa Shaikh (30), a resident of Krishnanagar, Mohammadwadi, Hadapsar.
Hanif’s body was discovered on May 10 in an open area near the Handewadi-Holkarwadi cremation ground. Preliminary investigations revealed that he had been killed by a blow to the head with a stone. A murder case was registered at the Fursungi Police Station, based on a complaint filed by the victim’s brother.
The motive behind the murder was initially unclear, prompting parallel investigations by Units V and VI of the Crime Branch. Police examined CCTV footage from over 50 to 60 locations in the bypass area. The footage and inquiries led to the revelation that there had been prior altercations between Hanif and Asif, during which Hanif had reportedly assaulted Asif multiple times.
On the night of the murder, both men went to the crematorium area. Under the influence of alcohol, Hanif reportedly started a quarrel with Asif, which escalated into a physical scuffle. In a fit of rage, Asif fatally struck Hanif on the head with a stone and then fled to Latur.
A team from the Crime Branch tracked Asif down and arrested him in Latur.
This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale and Assistant Commissioner Rajendra Mulik, by a team led by Police Inspector Wahid Pathan, and included API Madan Kamble, ASI Rajus Shaikh, Balasaheb Sakte, Kanifnath Karkhele, Suhas Tambekar, Tanaji Deshmukh, Pratap Gaikwad, Pramod Tilekar, and Vinod Shiwale.
