In a shocking revelation, Nagpur Police have uncovered a calculated murder disguised as a hit-and-run accident. The victim, 82-year-old Purushottam Puttewar, a prominent businessman, was struck by a speeding car on May 22 at Balaji Nagari in Nagpur. Initial reports classified the incident as an accident, but a deeper investigation, prompted by a senior police official, revealed a sinister plot.
The investigation uncovered that Puttewar’s daughter-in-law, Archana Puttewar, allegedly hired contract killers to murder him over a ₹300-crore property dispute. Archana, who is an Assistant Director in the Town Planning Department, allegedly promised ₹1 crore to the killers.
On Tuesday, police arrested Archana and her accomplices, including Prashant Parlewar, Director of Micro Small Media Enterprises, and four others. The suspected contract killers identified are Neeraj Ishwar Nimje (30), Sachin Mohan Dharmik (29), and family driver Sarthak Bagde (29). Payal Nageshwar (28), Archana’s personal assistant, is also implicated.
According to police, Archana, Nageshwar, and Bagde initially devised the murder plan, with Dharmik joining later after being promised a beer bar license.
All accused have been remanded to police custody until June 15. Archana is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Police have seized two cars, an SUV, 140 grams of gold, ₹3 lakh in cash, seven mobile phones, and other materials related to the case.
