As the city remains in shock, police are yet to find any concrete clue in the brutal murder of 14-year-old Atharva Dilip Nanore. His last rites were performed on Sunday afternoon at Mankapur ghat amid tight police security and the presence of a large number of mourners. DCP Zone II Nityanand Jha said that multiple teams are working on the case, but no clear lead has emerged so far. “We are investigating the case from all possible angles. Relatives, friends and several children who were present during the procession have been questioned,” he said. He also appealed citizens to come forward with any information that could help solve the case.

 

According to investigators, the absence of strong evidence has made the case more challenging. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned, but so far nothing suspicious has been clearly identified. Police are also analysing mobile call detail records of family members and close contacts to trace any unusual activity on the night of the incident. A senior police official, on condition of anonymity, said that suspicion is pointing towards someone known to the victim or his family. “The way the crime was carried out suggests planning. It does not appear to be a random act. Someone close could be involved,” the officer said. Atharva had gone missing on Thursday night after attending a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Gittikhadan.

 

He was last seen around 10.54 pm when he told others he was going to buy ice cream. His body was found on Saturday evening stuffed in a sack on a railway bridge along the Bharatwada bypass, with signs of strangulation and injuries. The shocking incident had triggered protests, with angry relatives accusing the police of delay in the initial search. Following the recovery of the body, the case was converted into a murder investigation. Police are now closely examining possible personal rivalry linked to the family. Atharva’s father, a vegetable supplier with local business connections, is said to have had disputes in the past. Investigators are also trying to trace a relative with a criminal background who is currently missing. Despite continuous efforts, the lack of a definite clue has raised concerns, and pressure is mounting on the police to crack the case soon.