A 73-year-old man was arrested by Ahmedabad police from his village in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, where he was living as a vagabond, more than 49 years after he allegedly murdered his house owner in Ahmedabad.
According to police, Sitaram Bhatane was accused of killing Mani Shukla, 70, at her home in Saijpur, Ahmedabad, in 1973, when he was living with his two brothers. On September 14, 1973, police filed a FIR at Sardarnagar police station, with police as the complainant.
Following the investigation, it was revealed that three brothers, Sitaram, Mahadev, and Narayan, used to live on the floor above the floor where the landlady stayed.
According to police press release, house was locked for three days and police were called after a bad smell was reported by the neighbourhood.
According to investigating officer PV Gohil of Sardarnagar police station, it was established with help of his brothers Sitaram was in habit of committing such thefts, and warrant was issued to arrest him after he went missing. Gohil stated that both brothers had died.
Bhatane, now 73, was charged with murder under IPC sections 302 and 392. Inspector VS Sethi of Sardarnagar police station filed FIR. The crime occurred in Ahmedabad’s Dhanushyadhari Society in Saijpur neighbourhood.
“He used to roam around in his village singing bhajans,” Gohil said adding he was caught from his hometown Rajni village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra.
According to release, Sitaram went to Shukla’s house while she was sleeping because he needed money. She awoke while he was stealing and attempted to stop him. When the woman collapsed a fight ensued and Sitaram fled leaving her behind.