Pune: Land dealer arrested for murder of priest over suspicion of black magic
Pune: Land dealer arrested for murder of priest over suspicion of black magic
On September 23, Ganpat Genba Khutwad, a 52-year-old priest from a temple in Hatve Khurd village, was discovered dead on the riverbed of the Gunjavani river. His motorcycle was found wedged in the protective railing of a nearby bridge, suggesting that he had fallen into the river after colliding with the railing. Initially, an accidental death report was filed at the Rajgad police station.
A detailed investigation of the bridge where the priest was found and the injuries on his head revealed discrepancies that suggested it was not an accident. Teams from the Pune rural police began to gather information about the priest’s activities in the days leading up to his death.
According to an officer from the Pune rural police, “Our investigation revealed that on September 22, the deceased had gone to the nearby town of Nasrapur. A man named Swapnil Dnyanoba Khutwad, 30, who lives in the same village, was seen following him. Around 10:30 PM on September 22, when the priest left Nasrapur on his motorcycle, Swapnil followed him on his own two-wheeler.”
The investigation revealed that Swapnil had a strong superstitious belief that Khutwad was practicing black magic against him. According to the police officer, “Swapnil is a small-time land dealer who attributed his lack of success in business endeavors to this. He also believed that a physical deformity suffered by a family member was a result of Khutwad’s black magic.”
On the night of September 22, after following Khutwad, Swapnil intercepted him on the bridge over the Gunjavani river. The officer stated, “He bludgeoned him to death and threw his body in the river. He then stuck the bike on the bridge’s railing in a way so as to make it look like a crash.”
This revelation turned the case from an accidental death into a homicide investigation, highlighting the tragic consequences of superstition and violence.
“Swapnil could not be found at his house. We launched a search for him and detained him from the Khed Shivapur area where he was hiding,” said the police officer, adding that he has been placed under arrest. The investigation of the case was conducted by a joint team from the Rajgad police station and the local crime branch of the Pune rural police. This coordinated effort was crucial in apprehending Swapnil and uncovering the details surrounding the priest’s tragic death.
