Diamond trader murder: At least 2 arrested, popular TV actress detained

A number of people including a policeman were arrested in connection with the murder of a diamond trader whose decomposed body was found in a forest in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Friday. According to reports, a famous popular television actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee has also been detained after hours of questioning.

It is to be noted that, the diamond trader Rajeshwar Udani, a resident of Ghatkopar had gone missing sicne November 28. The body of the trader was found at Panvel in Raigad district two days ago, at least 10 days after he was reported missing.

The accused is identified as Sachin Pawar, a former personal assistant of Maharashtra minister Prakash Mehta, while another accused, Dinesh Pawar, is a suspended police constable who was arrested earlier in a rape case.

The famous television actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee, popularly known as Gopi Bahu in “Saath Nibhana Sathiya”, has been detained, police said. They, however, have not revealed her role in the case but hinted that some more women from the entertainment industry may be summoned for questioning.

Police investigations and call data records have revealed that Udani was a regular at some bars and in touch with several women, including from the glamour and entertainment industry, through Sachin Pawar, who has worked with Maharashtra Housing, Labor and Mining Minister Prakash Mehta.

The minister admitted to have worked with the trader from 2004 to 2009 but claimed that he had severed all links with him after he was sacked from the BJP after he contested a BMC election as an independent.

Investigators suspect that Rajeshwar Udani’s kidnappers may have killed diamond trader at some other location before dumping the body in the forests.

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