Maharashtra Crime: 3 Sentenced To Life Imprisonment By Kolhapur Court In 2019 Murder Case

Kolhapur: A district and sessions court in Kolhapur's Shahuwadi sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the 2019 murder of Santosh Tadake, whose throat was slit before his body was dumped into a valley in Manoli. The verdict was delivered by Judge S S Tambe, who found the accused guilty based on circumstantial and technical evidence.

The murder plot was orchestrated by Sanjay Shedge, who harboured jealousy toward his cousin, Tadake, due to his growing influence in Ichalkaranji. Determined to eliminate him, Shedge took the help of his friends Amir (alias Kancha Abbas Mulla), Sunil Khot and Sidhram Mehter.

Details On The Murder

On September 21, 2019, Shedge invited Tadake to a birthday celebration in Manoli. The group stayed at a hotel, cut a cake and consumed alcohol. Past midnight, they led Tadake to Konkan Darshan Point, where they attacked him. He was struck on the head with a metal rod before his throat was slit, and his body was thrown into the valley.

The crime was discovered the next morning when a security guard noticed bloodstains at the scene. Later, a cow rearer spotted Tadake’s body in the valley, prompting a police investigation. Within 72 hours, officers tracked down the accused using a crucial piece of evidence, a cake box left behind at the crime scene.

The Shahuwadi police registered the case, and during the trial, public prosecutor Manjusha Patil stated that while there were no direct eyewitnesses, circumstantial evidence and secondary witness testimonies played a key role. Witnesses had seen the accused with the victim on the night of the murder, strengthening the prosecution's case. Technical evidence further corroborated their involvement, leading to their conviction.

Shedge, who masterminded the crime, had died before he could be arrested. However, the court found Amir, Sunil, and Sidhram guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.