'We knew a heroine stayed on the hill top'

The very mention of Laila Khan’s name evokes varied responses from locals in the Untadhari area of Igatpuri where Khan’s bungalow is located.

The very mention of Laila Khan’s name evokes varied responses from locals in the Untadhari area of Igatpuri where Khan’s bungalow is located.

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While some knew that a ‘heroine’ resided in the isolated bungalow with her family, others were shocked to see their locality being flashed on local TV channels. Kishor Joshi, whose company is located in the area, said, “Some of my relatives saw a hoarding bearing my company name being flashed on news channels and called me. I never saw Laila or her family members.”

Some others remember her as a part of a 2008 Bollywood movie. Near the Igatpuri market, a group of boys were discussing theories about how the murder took place.

One of the boys, who refused to be named, said: “We did see Laila Khan a few times in the market, always alone. Our family members knew about the heroine who stayed at an isolated spot on the hill.”

Aisha Pathan, 38, owner of a tea stall on the Mumbai Agra Highway overlooking the bungalow, was one of those who saw a fire break out at the bungalow last year. “We saw the bungalow engulfed in fire, and immediately contacted the fire brigade,” said Pathan.

Another local speculates, “They must have purchased a farmhouse at such a spot with some mischief in mind. It would all be planned.”