Maharashtra Crime: In a chilling insurance fraud case, a bank recovery agent from Maharashtra’s Latur district allegedly murdered an innocent passer-by, burnt the body inside a car and staged his own death to claim a Rs 1 crore life insurance payout.
The accused, Ganesh Chavan from Ausa taluka, was arrested from Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg district on Monday after a message he sent to his girlfriend from a second phone number exposed the plot.
Police received information early Sunday morning about a completely charred car with a burnt body inside near Ausa. Initial checks showed the vehicle belonged to Chavan, who had reportedly lent it to a relative. When police tried contacting him, his family said he had not returned home, and his phone was switched off.
Latur SP Amol Tambe said preliminary investigation led officers to believe the body was Chavan’s.
The Twist That Unravelled Plot
As the probe deepened on Monday, inconsistencies emerged. Police delved into Chavan’s personal life and discovered he was in a relationship with a woman. When questioned, she revealed that Chavan had continued messaging her from a different number even after the 'accident'. This breakthrough prompted police to trace the second number, leading to Chavan’s arrest first in Kolhapur and then in Vijaydurg.
Accused Confesses To Murder For Insurance Money
During interrogation, Chavan confessed he had taken a Rs 1 crore life insurance policy to clear his home loan. To execute the fraud, he hatched a plan to fake his death.
On Saturday, he picked up a pedestrian, Govind Yadav, near Tuljapur T-junction in Ausa. Yadav was intoxicated. They stopped at a dhaba before heading towards Vanwada Pati road.
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After parking the car, Yadav fell asleep inside. Chavan dragged him to the driver’s seat, fastened the seat belt, placed matchsticks and a plastic bag on the seat and set the vehicle on fire.
Yadav died on the spot. To mislead the police and convince his family, Chavan left his wrist bracelet near the body for identification. SP Tambe confirmed a murder case has been registered. Police are also probing whether Chavan had any accomplices in the crime.