Tenant kills landlord over payment of electricity bill

A 63-year-old man killed his landlord with a hammer during a fight over electricity bills in Mumbai. The body was found decomposing after three days.

MUMBAI:A 63-year-old man allegedly killed his landlord by hitting him on the head with a hammer during a fight over paying electricity bills in the Shivaji Nagar area at Govandi. The incident came to light after three days when the body started decomposing on the mezzanine floor.

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The deceased, Ganapati Jha, 49, lived in the Sanjay Nagar area on 90-Feet Road in Baiganwadi, Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, and resided alone in the locality. According to the police, the incident came to light on May 3 when Ganapati Jha was found dead at his house, and his body had begun decomposing. Neighbors noticed a foul smell and informed his cousin, who resides in the same locality. Meanwhile, the police were also notified, and the body was sent for post-mortem examination.

The investigation revealed that the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on April 30 when a heated argument ensued between Ganapati Jha and his tenant, Abdul Sheikh, 63, over paying the electricity bill, said Police Sub-Inspector Jaya Salunkhe of the Shivaji Nagar police station. During the argument, Abdul Sheikh attacked Jha with a wooden stick. Later, he also struck Jha’s face with a hammer, said the police officer. After the fight, Jha began bleeding, and Sheikh left the scene.

“Based on the statement provided by Jha’s cousin’s brother, the police registered a murder case against Sheikh and subsequently arrested him. Sheikh is currently in police custody,” said Salunkhe.