In a chilling twist to a recent murder case in Navi Mumbai, police have arrested a 19-year-old woman and her 21-year-old boyfriend for the brutal killing of a cab driver. The incident unfolded in the Ulwe area and has sent shockwaves through the city.
According to Navi Mumbai Police, the deceased, Sanjay Pandey (44), was a cab driver who had provided shelter to the accused, Riya Sarkanya Singh, after she claimed to be helpless and in need of a job. The two reportedly met a few months ago during a cab ride, following which Pandey offered her a place to stay and helped her find employment locally.
While living with Pandey, Riya connected with Vishal Shinde (21), a resident of Nashik, through social media. Their online conversations soon blossomed into a relationship. In due course, Riya left for Nashik to meet Vishal. However, Pandey reportedly disapproved of their relationship and insisted Riya stay with him.
On March 31, Pandey brought Riya and Vishal back to Navi Mumbai. The situation escalated on the night of April 1, when Pandey allegedly recorded a video of the couple being intimate. He later used it to threaten Riya, demanding sexual favours in return for keeping the video private.
“Sanjay Pandey demanded physical pleasure from Riya by threatening to make the video viral,” a police official said, quoting the accused’s confession. Enraged and terrified, the couple reportedly planned Pandey’s murder.
According to investigators, the duo struck Pandey on the head with a hammer and gouged out his eyes in an attempt to conceal his identity. After the murder, they fled the city in Pandey’s cab. However, since neither knew how to drive properly, they met with multiple minor accidents in Pune and Nashik, raising suspicions that ultimately led police to them.
Authorities have now arrested both Riya and Vishal, who remain in custody as further investigation continues.
