KALYAN: A caretaker and his accomplice were arrested after a retired railway employee who they had assaulted and flung into a 300-feet deep valley in Malshej Ghat had a fortuitous escape. The duo kidnapped the 61-year-old with the intention of killing him so that they could lay their hands on his bank balance of Rs40 lakh and valuables.
Mahatma Phule police in Kalyan said the victim, Prakash Bhoir, had lost consciousness after landing on some bushes. On reviving, he took the help of locals and got himself admitted to the railway hospital. After recording the statement of Bhoir, police immediately formed separate teams under assistant police inspector Deepak Sarode. While caretaker Shailesh Gaikwad (35) and his accomplice Bharat Gaikwad (34) were arrested within hours, a hunt is on for Pradeep Jadhav (34), the driver of the auto that was used to take the victim to Malshej Ghat.
Police said Bhoir, who retired as a deputy accountant from the Central Railway, lived alone, while his wife and two daughters stayed separately. Bhoir had hired Shailesh, who was his friend’s son, to take care of the house and run errands. The accused was aware Bhoir had a bank balance of Rs40 lakh as the senior citizen had shared his ATM PIN and would often ask him to withdraw money.
Vivek Pansare, DCP, Thane police, said primary probe has revealed on January 26, Shailesh told Bhoir he needed his help to recover some dues from a relative. “He was taken to Malshej Ghat where the accused struck him on the head with a stone and threw him into the valley,” said Pansare. Police said after Bhoir landed on a tree, the accused extricated him and threw him further down. However, except for minor scratches, Bhoir escaped unscathed.
After believing Bhoir to be dead, the accused went to his house and stole jewellery and cash and also withdrew Rs 40,000 from his bank account. “After the incident came to light, we formed separate teams and managed to nab the two accused within 12 hours. We have recovered cash and jewellery worth Rs 13 lakh,” said senior inspector Narayan Bankar.
ACP Anil Powar advised senior citizens and those living alone not to share their ATM PIN with anyone.