Mumbai: After residents of Kanchan Building in Bandra (West) discovered the decomposed body of Rekha Khonde in her second-floor 1 BHK flat, police arrested Sharif Ali Shamsher Shaikh (27) within two hours. Following the murder of 64-year-old Rekha Khonde in the Bandra area, Bandra Police arrested the prime suspect, Sharif, who was found to be residing nearby. Further investigation revealed the identity of the accused. The police have also arrested a second person for destroying evidence, as he had hidden the murder weapon and other items used in the crime.
According to the police, the second arrested accused has been identified as Rahul Naidu (27). Rahul works at a call center and was responsible for disposing of the knife and iron rod used in the murder. The investigation found that these weapons were used by the prime accused, Sharif Ali Shamsher Shaikh (27), to commit the murder. It was also revealed that the murder was committed with the intention of theft. The elderly woman was found by the police with her hands and legs tied, which led them to suspect foul play.
Officials stated that after examining CCTV footage from the area and gathering technical evidence, they interrogated Shaikh. Suspicion fell on him, and during questioning, it was discovered that three days prior, he had entered the elderly woman's house with the intent to steal. After stealing some valuable items, he murdered the woman and locked the door before fleeing. Neighbors alerted the police after noticing a foul smell coming from the flat.
Based on the information provided by the police, the murder was committed purely for theft. Both accused were produced in court and were remanded to police custody. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Khonde’s body was found in her flat with her hands tied and showing signs of strangulation. Further investigation revealed that Khonde had withdrawn ₹23 lakh from her bank account, which Shaikh spent on buying a car, repaying loans, and for food.
Shaikh, a team leader at a call center in Saki Naka, stole gold jewelry worth ₹15 lakh before escaping, which he handed over to Rahul Naidu along with the weapons. Naidu was arrested for helping Shaikh in the crime and disposing of evidence.
