Andheri bar owner questioned

On the basis of additional proof, the Powai police arrested 47-year-old Airport Authority of India employee Eknath Pai on Thursday, for the murder of his wife.

On the basis of additional proof, the Powai police arrested 47-year-old Airport Authority of India employee Eknath Pai on Thursday, for the murder of his wife.

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He allegedly killed Ajitha (45), on Monday on a fourth-floor flat of the Shivalika Building on Marol-Military road where the couple had been living since 1999.

Pai told the police in his first statement that he left his office at the Sahar International Airport around 5 pm on Monday and reached home around 5.30 pm. However, investigations revealed that Pai left his office around 1.15 pm and then visited a bar at JB Nagar in Andheri (East).

On Sunday the police questioned the owner of Aapki country bar, located in JB Nagar that Pai had visited on the day of the incident. “Pai came around 1.30 pm and left in an hour. Pai was drinking alone and nobody came to visit him at the bar,” Rudolph Soares (71), the bar owner said.

Soares said Pai had been visiting the outlet for 9 years. “He would frequent the bar on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays,” said the bar owner.

The police will also record the statement of Ramakant Ghatol, who had sent an SMS to Ajitha following her death. “We believe that Ghatol was aware of the crime,” the officer added. Ghatol, who claims to be an old friend of the victim, works at Nagpur Airport.

Pai denied the charges. “He has not confessed to the killing,” said API S.N. Bhandge.