Woman’s body found in trunk along Sion-Panvel highway at Vashi

A decomposed body of an unidentified woman, aged between 30 and 35, was found in a trunk off the Sion-Panvel highway near Vashi on Wednesday morning.

A security guard of a gas station in the area informed the police as foul odour started to emanate from the trunk. “The trunk was found at an isolated spot around 60m from the highway. We sent the body to Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation hospital in Vashi for post-mortem. There were no major injury marks on the body. Doctors suspect the woman was strangled around 48 hours ago,” said Deepak Barkale, assistant police inspector from Vashi police station. “Her face has been burnt with acid or hot water to hide the identity. There is no evidence of sexual assault. The trunk may have been dumped on Tuesday night. We have formed three teams to investigate.”

The police are examining the CCTV footage of Vashi toll naka for clues. “The woman was wearing a black kurta with red and white design and saffron salwar with white floral design. She was wearing two black bangles and a steel kada. She was also wearing a chain with black and red beads,” said Ajay Kumar Landge, senior inspector, Vashi police station.

The police have recovered 23 items, including a towel, apron, T-shirts, saree and a pair of cargo pants, from the trunk. A case has been registered under section 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).