Crime Branch officials have arrested Prashant Parlewar, Director of the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME), in connection with the alleged “Supari killing” of 82-year-old Nagpur businessman Puroshattam Puttewar. Additionally, the police have arrested the personal assistant of the prime suspect, Archana Manish Puttewar (53), who serves as the Assistant Director of the Town Planning Department in Gadchiroli. Identified as Payal Nageshwar, the personal assistant hails from Byramji Town. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Detection Nimit Goyal confirmed the developments and said that Parlewar would be produced in the court on Wednesday. In this ongoing investigation, the police have thus far arrested Archana, along with Neeraj Ishwar Nimje (30) from Shaktimata Nagar, Kharbi Road; Sachin Mohan Dharhik (29) from Bagadganj; and Sarthak Sahebrao Bagde (29) from Chaitanyaswar Nagar, Wathoda. Following the recent arrests of Prashant and Payal, the total number of accused implicated in this case has risen to six.

 

The police reveal that the Parlewar family possesses a property spanning 6,000 sq feet in Untkhana area. Allegedly, Archana and Prashant harbored intentions to construct a shopping mall on this land. However, Yogita, Archana’s sister-in-law and Purushottam’s daughter, initiated legal action seeking a share of the property. Suspecting Purushottam’s assistance to Yogita, Archana and Prashant purportedly hatched conspiracy to commit murder . Approximately six months ago, Prashant, aided by Sachin, Neeraj, and Sarthak, allegedly conspired to eliminate Purushottam. Payal allegedly facilitated the financial backing and disbursed Rs 17 lakh initially, alongside cash and jewellery, to Sarthak, Sachin, and Neeraj. Additionally, Prashant allegedly promised Sachin assistance in obtaining a beer bar license. Following Sarthak’s arrest, Prashant and Payal came under the police’s scrutiny.

 

Moreover, Sachin’s employee, Sanket, also came under the police radar. Sachin, proprietor of a jewellery box manufacturing facility, enlisted Sanket in the murder plot to eliminate Purushottam. During the incident on May 22, when Purushottam was fatally struck by a vehicle, Sanket was reportedly riding a motorcycle alongside another suspect. The police have initiated search for Sanket. Furthermore, investigations have uncovered substantial assets amassed by Archana, including multiple properties and undisclosed wealth. Payal is believed to have managed all financial transactions on Archana’s behalf, with suspicions arising regarding the investment of Archana’s illicit funds through Sachin. The police are planning to request an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Bureau into Archana’s financial affairs.