'Body Dismembered, Stuffed In Trunk': Ex-cop Convicted In 2016 Ashwini Bidre Murder Case
Additional Sessions Judge expressed surprise that Kurundkar had been awarded the President’s Medal for Gallantry in 2017, despite being an accused in the murder case
The Panvel sessions court in Maharashtra on Saturday found former police inspector Abhay Kurundkar guilty in the 2016 murder case of Assistant Police Inspector (API) Ashwini Bidre. Two of Kurundkar’s associates were also convicted for destroying and hiding evidence.
The two aides were Mahesh Phalnikar, a bank employee and close friend of Kurundkar, and Kundan Bhandari, Kurundkar’s driver. Another accused, Raju Patil, was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
related stories
The court will announce the sentences for the convicted individuals on April 11. Additionally, statements from Bidre’s father and daughter will be heard before a decision is made on the compensation amount.
While delivering the verdict, Additional Sessions Judge KG Paldewar had expressed surprise that Kurundkar had been awarded the President’s Medal for Gallantry in 2017, despite being an accused in the murder case.
Judge Paldewar questioned how the police department’s committee could recommend Kurundkar for such an award when they were aware of his involvement in the crime. He also called for an inquiry into the officers responsible for recommending the medal, The Times Of India reported.
On April 11, Judge Paldewar will hear statements from Bidre’s father and daughter before deciding on the compensation amount.
About the murder case:
Dismissed police inspector Abhay Kurundkar was allegedly in a relationship with API Ashwini Bidre, who was his colleague. Kurundkar is said to have murdered her in April 2016 following an argument.
Bidre was reported missing by her family, and a police complaint was also filed at Kalamboli police station in Panvel. However, the police allegedly took no action until late 2017, when Kurundkar and two others were arrested for her abduction and murder.
Kurundkar was arrested on December 7, 2017. He allegedly killed Bidre at his home and dismembered her body using a sharp weapon, stuffed it in a trunk and disposed of it in Vasai creek.
Despite investigations, Bidre’s remains were never found. The trial began in November 2018 at the Alibaug district court and was later moved to the newly established Panvel sessions court. During the trial, the prosecution examined 84 witnesses.
- Location :
- First Published: