Maharashtra Dec 16: Latur man held for killing hitchhiker to fake own death claim insurance Latur (Maharashtra): Police in Maharashtra’s Latur district have arrested a bank recovery agent for allegedly murdering a hitchhiker and setting him ablaze inside a car to fake his own death and fraudulently claim insurance money officials said on Monday.
The accused identified as Ganesh Chavan was initially believed to be the victim after a charred body was found inside a completely burnt car in Ausa taluka in the early hours of Sunday. The vehicle was traced to its owner who told police he had lent it to Chavan. When investigators tried to contact him they were informed that he had not returned home and his phone was switched off strengthening suspicions that Chavan had died in the fire.
However the investigation took a dramatic turn when police discovered that Chavan was messaging his girlfriend using an alternate phone number after the incident. “When we questioned the woman it became clear that Chavan was alive and in contact with her” Latur Superintendent of Police Amol Tambe said.
Police tracked the alternate number leading them from Kolhapur to Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg district where Chavan was located and detained. During interrogation he allegedly confessed to the crime.
According to police Chavan had taken a Rs 1 crore life insurance policy and planned to use the claim amount to repay a home loan. To execute the plan he allegedly targeted a hitchhiker later identified as Govind Yadav who was reportedly intoxicated.
Investigators said that on Saturday Chavan offered Yadav a lift at a junction in Ausa. After stopping at a roadside eatery the two drove towards a secluded stretch where Yadav fell asleep inside the car. Chavan allegedly moved him to the driver’s seat used matchsticks and plastic bags to start a fire and set the vehicle ablaze killing Yadav.
Police said the burning car was used to destroy evidence and stage Chavan’s death. Further investigation is underway to complete legal formalities and identify any additional links in the case.
