CCTV footage helps Beltarodi police crack murder of Wardha labourer after complainant unknowingly leads officers to crime scene

Nagpur: A murder investigation in Nagpur took a dramatic twist when a man who walked into Beltarodi Police Station to lodge an assault complaint ended up being arrested for allegedly murdering a construction labourer. The complainant's suspicious behaviour led police to reopen a case that had initially been registered as an accidental death, with CCTV footage exposing the three accused.

The victim, Shankar Manohar Kukde (30), a native of Nandgaon in Wardha district, had arrived in Nagpur around 20 days ago in search of work. He was employed at a construction site in Beltarodi and was staying on the premises. Since alcohol consumption was prohibited inside the company compound, Kukde reportedly used to drink in a forested area near Trupti Hotel and Vijayraj Bar on Wardha Road.

According to police, about 15 days ago Kukde was returning to the construction site after consuming liquor late at night when he was stopped by Sunny Gaikwad (23) of Kaikade Nagar and his associates Rohit Khujnare and Tushar Khandare. The trio allegedly robbed him of ₹1,200 and a liquor bottle. When Kukde resisted, they allegedly assaulted him and repeatedly kicked him in the chest, causing his death before fleeing the spot.

Police recovered Kukde's body the following day and initially registered an accidental death case.

The investigation took a decisive turn on Tuesday when Tushar reached Beltarodi Police Station alleging that Sunny and Rohit had assaulted him after a drunken argument. Police Inspector Ravindra Naikwad decided to inspect the location with the complainant. Instead of taking officers to the place of the alleged assault, Tushar led them to the very spot where Kukde's body had been found.

Finding his conduct suspicious, PI Naikwad reopened the case and examined CCTV footage from the route. The footage showed Kukde walking through the area shortly before the incident, followed by Sunny, Rohit and Tushar.

Police detained all three men, who allegedly confessed to Kukde's murder during interrogation.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Rashmitha Rao by a team led by PI Ravindra Naikwad, along with PSI Bhadane and officers Vijay Malokar, Subhash and Rajesh Tiwari.