Pune: Daund Woman’s Death Was Not a Leopard Attack but Murder, Say Police
PUNE: Nearly three months after 50-year-old Latabai Baban Dhawade was found dead in a sugarcane field in Daund tehsil, a police probe has revealed that her death was a murder disguised as a leopard attack. The Yawat police have arrested two individuals in connection with the case, and they have been remanded to judicial custody until March 7.
Dhawade, a resident of Kadethan village, was found dead on December 8, 2024, with injuries on her face and head. Initially, villagers suspected a leopard attack. However, a forest department inspection found no conclusive evidence of an animal attack, prompting a deeper investigation.
Forensic experts were consulted, and swabs were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Nagpur. The report, received two days ago, ruled out any traces of an animal attack. This led the police to intensify their investigation, uncovering a shocking conspiracy.
According to the police, Dhawade was murdered by her nephew, Anil Dhawade, who also serves as the deputy Sarpanch of Kadethan village. The breakthrough came when Satilal More, a farm worker on Anil Dhawade’s land, confessed to his involvement in the crime. Both accused have since been arrested.
Yawat police inspector Narayan Deshmukh stated, “There have been previous leopard sightings in the area, and villagers had demanded the installation of cages. When Latabai Dhawade’s death was initially believed to be a leopard attack, the community became agitated. We had our suspicions but waited for forensic confirmation before proceeding. Once the report ruled out an animal attack, we intensified our investigation, leading to the revelation of the murder plot.”
Deepak Pawar, assistant conservator of forests, Pune forest division, added, “While we have not yet received the official forensic report, the police informed us of their findings. Though similar cases have been reported in Junnar, this is the first such incident in the Pune forest division. Based on this case, we plan to launch awareness campaigns in affected areas to prevent criminals from fabricating such lies.”
Authorities have also confirmed that any compensation claims related to this case will be denied, as there was no animal attack involved. The forest department has observed a rising trend of criminals staging murders as leopard attacks. At least three similar cases have been reported in Junnar over the past two years. To address this issue, the forest department now plans to conduct awareness campaigns in areas with frequent leopard sightings.
