Navi Mumbai: A 45-year-old man employed as a clerk at MSEDCL head office in Bandra has been arrested by Khandeshwar police for allegedly strangulating his bedridden younger brother aged 36 at his residence in Khanda Colony, Panvel taluka, early on Wednesday. The accused reportedly confessed to the police, saying he was fed up of medical care for his HIV-positive brother who had suffered kidney failure, said Smita Dhakne, senior inspector of Khandeshwar police. Dhakne added that the accused’s wife had left home along with their two children six months ago due to frequent quarrels with him over the victim’s medical care.The arrested accused has been identified as Rahul Sanas and the victim as Rohan Sanas, both of whom lived together at Om Vaibhav CHS, Sector 7, Khanda Colony. Rohan previously worked as a helper for plumbing contracts. An alcoholic for years, he suffered from kidney failure and also got an HIV infection. As his condition deteriorated, he was bedridden and dependent entirely on his elder brother Rahul, said SPI Dhakne.SPI Dhakne said, “On Wednesday, around 12.30 am, some residents of Om Vaibhav CHS came to the police station and informed us that Rohan Sanas had died under suspicious circumstances. Hence, his elder brother Rahul was brought to police station for inquiry, when he claimed that while he was asleep at home, Rohan came crawling to him and told he was not feeling well. Hence, he made him sleep next to him. After some time, when he checked on him, he found him motionless and without a heartbeat. Hence, he called his friends at home and it was confirmed that Rohan was dead. Hence, as per Rahul’s complaint, prima facie, we filed an Accidental Death Report (ADR).”SPI Dhakne said that the doctors at Panvel sub-district hospital, where Rohan was declared dead, found a ligature mark on his neck, though. As the surgeon was unavailable that day, two doctors from J J hospital were called to conduct an autopsy and they confirmed strangulation using a nylon rope as the ligature mark was ‘O-shaped’ and not ‘U-shaped’, which happens in the case of hanging.As Rahul was suspected of killing Rohan, a forensic team conducted an inquest panchnama at his apartment and he was detained for inquiry. Upon thorough investigation, he confessed to having strangled Rohan. Rahul claimed that because of his brother’s medical care, he got into frequent quarrels with his wife. Six months ago, she left home with their two children and went to live in her maternal home. Taking suo motu cognisance of the case, PSI Akshay Chavan was made the complainant and a murder case was registered against the accused Rahul, who was arrested on Thursday. He was produced before the Panvel district sessions court that remanded him to police custody till Nov 7.
