IN A shocking revelation, the brutal murder of a petrol pump owner in Bhiwapur turned out to be contract killing, with the one giving the contract is none other than the daughter of the deceased. The Nagpur Rural police have arrested the daughter, identified as Priya (35), a resident of Sarvesh Nagar, Dighori. The murder of Dilip Rajeshwar Sontakke (60) took place at Kolari Sathgaon, Bhiwapur. According to the police, the motive behind the murder stemmed from a worsening family situation. Dilip was involved in an immoral relationship with another woman while his wife owned a petrol pump, a farm, and a house. His alleged mistreatment of his wife and daughter had escalated into physical abuse. Recently, Dilip had pressured his wife to transfer the ownership of the petrol pump, farm, and house in his name, which she had refused. On May 2, the situation took a violent turn, when Dilip brutally assaulted his wife and daughter. Seeking a way out, Priya took matters into her own hands. She hired Sheikh Afroz Sheikh Hanif (33), a resident of Bada Tajbagh, Nagpur, to eliminate her father and offered him a sum of for Rs 5 lakh for the job. Afroz enlisted the assistance of his accomplices, Mohd Wasim Lal Mohd (29), a resident of Kharbi and a local criminal Juber Khan.

Afroz and his associates planned the murder at a petrol pump in Bhiwapur for five days. On May 17, they executed their plan by entering the pump cabin with their faces covered by cloth masks and killing Dilip. They viciously stabbed Dilip more than 15 times before escaping with approximately Rs 1.34 lakh. Bhiwapur police registered a case of murder and robbery and apprehended Afroz and his accomplices. The investigation, led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishal Anand, Addl SP Dr Sandeep Pakhale, LCB PI Omprakash Kokate, Bhiwapur PI Jaipal Singh Girase, and API Sharad Bhasme, initially suspected contract killing. As the inquiry progressed, the police discovered evidence linking Priya to the crime. Following her arrest, Priya confessed of the murder.