Police probing the murder of a 40-year-old loan agent in Gittikhadan area suspect that an alleged extra-marital affair may have triggered the brutal killing. The victim, Ajay Kishorilal Shriwas, who lived at Gorkhede Complex in Gittikhadan, was found murdered inside his rented flat between 3 pm and 3.30 pm on Saturday. Investigators believe the husband of a woman known to Shriwas may be involved in the crime after allegedly learning about their close relationship. According to police, the woman was Shriwas’s college acquaintance.

 

The two had reportedly remained in regular touch over the years and frequently spoke on the phone and met occasionally. During the investigation, police examined call detail records and found several calls exchanged between them. Officials said tensions escalated last week after the woman’s husband allegedly came to know about the relationship. A heated argument reportedly took place over the phone between him and Shriwas. Police suspect the attacker came to the spot in an auto-rickshaw and escaped soon after the murder. However, the registration number of the vehicle could not be clearly identified from nearby CCTV footage. Investigators have also focused on the woman’s husband, who reportedly works as a milk seller and has been missing since Saturday.

 

The woman, meanwhile, was questioned by police. She reportedly claimed that Shriwas was spiritually inclined and that their conversations were mostly related to religion and god. Ajay worked as a loan agent with a micro-finance company and also ran a property dealing office in Sitabuldi. Police said he had been living alone for several years after separating from his wife around 12 years ago. The murder came shortly after a personal tragedy in his family. His mother had died about 15 days ago, and the family had performed her “Teravi” ceremony just two days before the incident. On Saturday afternoon, Ajay had reportedly gone out for lunch with his friend Rahul Naukarkar. Police believe the attacker entered the flat shortly after Ajay returned home and stabbed him in the abdomen with a sharp weapon before fleeing. Neighbours later found him lying in a pool of blood and alerted police.