Mumbai: A model youngster, a responsible adult, polite, generous — these are some of the adjectives that Hasnen Warekar’s neighbours use to describe the 35-year-old. “He was an extremely quiet boy. He would never loiter around or indulge in banter,” said cousin Shehnaaz while trying to console Hasnen’s nonplussed grandmother.
This quiet unassuming youth allegedly slit the throats of 14 members of his family, with the youngest victim being his own three-month-old daughter Humaira and the oldest his father, 55-year-old Anwar.
In the narrow lanes of Kasarvadavli, the buzz is that Shaitaan, meaning the devil, was behind the midnight massacre. “He had no vices, loved his wife, doted on his daughter, respected his parents — why would he do this if he wasn’t possessed,” demanded one of the older members of the family in a hushed tone.
15 die in Thane nocturnal killing
The proponents of this theory say Hasnen possibly had a skewed understanding of the concept of ‘qurbani’ which possibly led to the ritual killing. They point out that all throats were slit with a butcher’s knife
“We can’t believe what has happened, “says the 15-year-old cousin.”One could call him over whenever one needed his help,” adds Shehnaaz. Neighbours said the family kept to itself and was extremely religious. ‘‘The women would always be in purdah and would rarely step out of the house. Even Hasnen would attend functions of only close relatives. His father was slightly social and would take part in village activities,” said another neighbour.
Hasnen was the only son among five children. “They had been living here for many years. We had seen Hasnen grow up, he finished his education and got a job as an accountant in a firm in Navi Mumbai. He got his sisters married and also made sure that his ageing parents live in comfort,” said Rizwan, another cousin.
Cameraman dies while covering Thane familicide
Possible motive: Sources said that Hasnen’s wife Jabin was found disrobed in the bedroom. “She was stark naked with not even a bed-sheet covering her body,” said a woman who helped bring the bodies out of the house.
Some relatives debunked the theory that a property dispute could be the motive. Financially, the family was well off and Hasnen was earning about Rs 70,000 a month; they owned two houses in the village and the father was drawing some pension. Hansen would not take such a step for money,” said another.
The Thane police officials are clueless. “We are waiting for the only survivor to be medically stable before we can record he statement. We have collected samples and are awaiting the post-mortem report,” said a senior officer of the Thane police.
