Week after man murdered, girlfriend raped in Titwala, Thane cops arrest one suspect

The Thane local crime branch arrested an auto driver early Sunday from a guesthouse in Ulhasnagar on the outskirts of Mumbai a week after a man a man was killed and his girlfriend allegedly raped  in Titwala, Mumbai Mirror reported.

The accused has been identified as Sanjay Narvade, 25, an autorickshaw driver who is a native of Jalna.

Sources said that following the incident, the police had formed different teams with over 45 police officials in all to locate the accused. The alleged rape victim, deceased’s girlfriend, had told the police about the crime, which took place near Nalimbi village in Titwala.

The accused had accosted the girl when the deceased had stopped his bike near a forest thicket to relieve himself. When she raised an alarm, the deceased rushed to help her, only to be shot thrice. The woman was then taken to the thicket and allegedly raped. Narvade then allegedly took the bike and rode off. The woman then went to Naimbi village and lodged a complaint with the police, following which an FIR was registered.

According to the Mirror report, the Titwala police had booked unknown accused on charges of rape and murder last week. As the investigations proceeded, the police, after getting a rough description of the accused from the victim, had prepared a sketch of the culprit. The woman had described the man as wearing brown trousers and shirt. On a hunch triggered by the fact that many auto rickshaw drivers wear brown uniforms, and after circulating the sketch in adjoining areas, the cops managed to zero in on the suspect.