Auto driver killed by addicts for money

Mumbai: The death of an auto-rickshaw driver - initially thought to be the result of an accident in Kashimira – has now turned out to be a cold-blooded murder executed by two drug addicts for Rs 900 and a mobile phone.

Both the accused - who landed in the custody of the local crime branch (LCB) unit of Thane (rural) police – confessed to committing the crime to fund their drug addiction. The auto-rickshaw driver, identified as Rajendra Yadav, was found unconscious and with severe injuries in an industrial area of Mira-Gaothan, Kashimira, on October 20 this year. After battling for life, Yadav succumbed to his injuries. Initially, the police registered a case of accidental death. However, the manner in which the body was found and the disappearance of belongings, including wallet and mobile, aroused suspicion, prompting the SP, Dr Shivaji Rathod, to depute the LCB team to conduct parallel investigations into the case.

After some days, the missing phone was found to be active, following which, the LCB team tracked down the location. It turned out however that the person using the phone had purchased it from another man. Based on the information, the police apprehended the duo from the Mahajanwadi area. The accused have been identified as Uddhav Shrikant Ukarande alias Rudra and Vikas Suresh Pared alias Circuit, both aged 19 years. On the fateful day, they hired Yadav’s auto.