Muslim tenant’s greed turns deadly: Ansari arrested for murdering Hindu Rathod family in Palghar.

Sniffer Dog Plays Key Role in Cracking Triple Murder Case…

Maharashtra: Tenant Ansari murdered house owner Rathod, his wife and daughter for the greed of cash and valuables, Arrested later. 

“Under the pretence of returning a borrowed hammer, Ansari went to the Rathod’s apartment in Palghar. Finding Mukund away, he broke into the home and viciously attacked Kanchan and Sangeeta with the hammer,” according to the officer.

Sumedha Shinde | HENB | Mumbai | Sept 12, 2024::  A sniffer dog played a crucial role in helping the Palghar Police crack a triple murder case, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old suspect from Uttar Pradesh. The Muslim accused is alleged to have murdered an elderly couple and their 52-year-old daughter in Neherloi village, Wada. The decomposed bodies of the Hindu victims were found on August 30, and the sniffer dog’s contribution was instrumental in solving the case.

The victims were identified as Mukund Rathod (75), his wife Kanchan (72), and their daughter Sangeeta (52), all of whom were residents of Wada. Mukund, a retired fabric businessman, had been supporting the household through rental income, supplemented by financial assistance from their son Pankaj, who lives in Virar.

The Hindu family, who were victims of the brutal murder, had never suspected that their Muslim tenant, whom they had trusted, would turn out to be their killer, driven by a greed for their wealth and valuables.

According to police officials, the crime took place on the afternoon of August 17. Arif Anwar Ali Ansari, the family’s tenant who had rented an adjacent property, allegedly attacked the Rathod family with a hammer. Ansari, who was preparing to return to Uttar Pradesh, was in need of money and targeted the family, believing they possessed cash and valuables.

“Under the pretence of returning a borrowed hammer, Ansari went to the Rathod’s apartment. Finding Mukund away, he broke into the home and viciously attacked Kanchan and Sangeeta with the hammer,” according to the officer.

Following the assault, Ansari allegedly concealed the bodies of Kanchan and Sangeeta in a metal trunk and cleaned up the bloodstains. However, upon hearing Mukund’s vehicle approach, he realized he was at risk of being discovered. He hid inside the house and allegedly attacked Mukund with the hammer when he arrived. Ansari then allegedly covered Mukund’s body with a bedsheet and fled the scene, taking the family’s mobile phones and some ornaments with him.

The gruesome discovery was made on August 30, when Pankaj, concerned about his family’s unavailability since August 17, arrived at their Palghar residence to find it locked from the outside. With neighbors unable to provide any information, Pankaj alerted the Wada police, who launched a murder investigation and brought in a dog squad. The canine team led them to Ansari’s residence, making him the prime suspect when he was found to be absent. “We enlisted the help of a dog squad, which led us to Ansari’s house after visiting the crime scene. His absence further solidified his status as the prime suspect,” an officer explained.

To determine whether the deaths were natural or homicides, police enlisted the help of a dog squad. The sniffer dog was presented with items from the crime scene and led investigators to a locked rental apartment, where Ansari and his family resided. The dog’s actions raised suspicions, and when police began inquiring about Ansari, they discovered he was absent. This further fueled their suspicions,” the officer explained.

Subsequently, with the assistance of Uttar Pradesh authorities, Palghar police successfully traced and apprehended Ansari in the jurisdiction of Meja Road police station, Uttar Pradesh. During interrogation, Ansari confessed to the crime.

The shocking triple murder case in Palghar has raised concerns about safety and security for homeowners, particularly when Hindus rent their properties to tenants from different religious backgrounds like Muslims. The incident has sparked questions about the potential risks, including attacks or even murder, that may arise in such situations.
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__Inputs from Agencies.