Pune: A farmer who also works as a real estate agent in Hatve village of Bhor taluka was arrested on Thursday on the charge of murdering a fair price shopowner over suspicions of him performing ‘ black magic '. Pune rural police said suspect Swapnil Dnyanoba Khutwad (30) bludgeoned the victim, identified as Ganpat Genba Khutwad (52), with a stone, before throwing the body into the riverbed. Police said Swapnil suspected that Ganpat had performed ‘black magic' on him since they were in the same trade of owning ration shops, and it had led to his downfall as well as eventual closure of his business.
Pankaj Deshmukh, superintendent of police, Pune rural, said, "Swapnil works as a real estate agent in the village and also does farming now." "Ganpat's body was found in the Gunjawani riverbed near Hatve on Sept 23. His motorcycle was found on the bridge over the same river," Deshmukh said.
An injury mark on his head and other circumstances prompted the Rajgad police to register a case of accidental death and investigate further. "Apart from running the fair price shop , Ganpat was also a ‘devrishi' (servant of God) at a temple. Swapnil nursed a grudge against Ganpat and suspected him of doing ‘black magic' so that his business failed.
The accused was going through financial loss and health issues and blamed the victim for it," the officer said. Police said it was an ongoing issue between them and was confirmed by local villagers. On Sept 22, Swapnil followed Ganpat who was .
