Cops gather evidence in Broker murder case

The Pune crime branch today recreated the murder scene of businessman Vinod Broker, 83, and his 51-year-old secretary Usha Nair at Khandala where the duo’s charred remains were recovered on April 30.

The Pune crime branch on Monday recreated the murder scene of businessman Vinod Broker, 83, and his 51-year-old secretary Usha Nair at Khandala where the duo’s charred remains were recovered on April 30.

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A team from the social security cell of the Pune crime branch took the 38 year-old main accused Ibrahim Shaikh with them for collecting further evidence in the double murder case. Sources said that the police have recovered a file containing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Broker and Shaikh for the sale of a sprawling house at Janki Kutir in Juhu which Broker owned.

Bhanupratap Barge, an inspector with the Pune crime branch told HT that the police have so far arrested three persons in the case and were collecting evidence.

Shaikh, a real estate agent from Bandra, his accomplice Ravindra Reddy, 37, and a driver, 51 year-old Nitin Bhatiya, were arrested by the police.

A case was registered under Section 302 and 201 of the IPC with the Khandala police station in Satara.

It is believed that Shaikh came in contact with the victim on hearing about the sale of the Rs 40crore worth property in Juhu.

“After managing to get Broker’s signature on the MOU, Shaikh began planning his death. He allegedly planned to kill Broker and forge his signature to show that he was the owner of the property, officials said.

On April 30, Shaikh allegedly took Broker and Nair to Satara in an Innova under the pretext of showing them a property. Shaikh was accompanied by Reddy and Bhatiya. Before leaving for Satara, they met in Broker’s home in Bund Garden, Pune.

When they neared Satara, the three accused strangled Broker and Nair to death using a nylon rope and burned their bodies.