12 quizzed over murder of cop’s son

Looking for clues: Police officials visit the bungalow in Aarey Colony where Atharva Shinde was attending a party on Monday night.

Looking for clues: Police officials visit the bungalow in Aarey Colony where Atharva Shinde was attending a party on Monday night.   | Photo Credit: Vijay Bate

CCTV camera footage shows Atharva jumping over gate, walking towards spot where body was found

The Aarey police on Thursday detained and questioned twelve youngsters who were at the party attended by Atharva Shinde, the son of a Mumbai Police officer, before he went missing and was found dead. The detainees were released late on Thursday night.

Their parents said their statements were recorded and they have been asked to report to the police station regularly for inquiries.

Atharva, the son of police inspector Narendra Shinde with the Economic Offences Wing, left his Goregaon residence to attend a birthday party on Monday evening. When he failed to return by Tuesday morning, his father started looking for him. His body was found in Aarey Colony on Wednesday.

Identifying motive

According to the police, three girls and nine boys were picked up for inquiries on Wednesday afternoon. The police questioned them to find out the sequence of events and the possible motive for the murder.

On Thursday, senior police officials, including senior police inspector Vijayalakshmi Hiremath, Aarey police, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone XII) Vinaykumar Rathod visited the bungalow where the party was held and the spot where the body was found.

“We have been scanning CCTV camera footage around the bungalow. Atharva is seen jumping over the main gate around 7 a.m. on Tuesday. A girl is also seen trying to jump along with him, but she does not make it. Atharva is seen walking towards the lake near which his body was found,” an officer said.

Medical reports awaited

The police are still waiting for detailed medical reports to confirm if Atharva was under the influence of any intoxicants. Investigations have indicated that arguments broke out between the youngsters two to three times during the party, sources said.

Advocate Abbas Kazmi, who is representing one of the youngsters, said, “The police detained my client for more than 30 hours and have no evidence against him. I have issued a notice for illegal detention. The police are asking for cooperation from our side.”