Thane Rural police have arrested two individuals, including a history-sheeter, in connection with the murder of Shahapur jewelry shop salesman Dinesh Kumar Manaram Chaudhary, 25, who was shot dead by two armed individuals on a bike last month. The accused have been identified as Shashank alias Sonu Balram Mishra, 32, a resident of Kaushambi district in Uttar Pradesh, and his associate, Ankit Yadav. Faizan Pappu Siddiqui, who is also involved, is currently absconding.
“We have formed twelve teams to investigate the case. We have scrutinized two dozen CCTV footage from Shahapur to Bhiwandi and along the highways. With the help of technical intelligence, we traced the location of the accused, Mishra, and discovered that he was hiding in Uttar Pradesh. We contacted the UP police regarding him. With the help of the Special Task Force, Shashank alias Sonu Balram Mishra, 32, was arrested from Manjhanpur village in Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh. We have launched a manhunt for the two other accused, Ankit alias Pintu Yadav and Faizan Pappu Siddiqui. Mishra was produced in a UP court, where he was granted transit remand and subsequently brought to Shahapur court, where he was remanded into police custody for investigation until January 13,” said Jitendra Thakur, Senior Police Inspector at Shahapur police station.
The police stated that they have not yet recovered the weapon used in the crime. Shashank alias Sonu Mishra, a repeat offender, has a history of murder and attempted murder charges filed against him in Uttar Pradesh. Tausif Alam Siddiqui, 35, a resident of Kaushambi district in Uttar Pradesh, had provided shelter to the accused in Bhiwandi. The suspects had been in and around the shop for five days before committing the crime.
Background of the Incident:
A 25-year-old salesman working at a jewelry shop was killed after two assailants on a bike shot at him and another employee in Shahapur on the night of December 21, 2024. The two assailants fled the scene with a bag containing documents and a register book.
The deceased, identified as Dinesh Kumar Manaram Chaudhary, 25, was shot while another employee managed to escape unharmed. The incident occurred outside Mahalaxmi Jewelers in Godeghar, Pandit Nagar, Shahapur, at around 9:15 PM when the salesman and three employees were on their way home after closing the shop.
Two bike-borne assailants arrived and allegedly fired bullets at two of the employees, injuring Chaudhary, while another employee managed to escape. The other two employees were ahead of them.
Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the gunfire and found Chaudhary lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to a hospital in Thane, where he was declared dead during further treatment on Sunday.
The Shahapur police arrived at the scene and registered a case against two unknown individuals. Preliminary investigations indicated that one bullet was fired at close range, hitting Chaudhary in the waist.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Milind Shinde, from Shahapur Division, said, “Prima facie, it appears the offense may have been committed with the intention of robbery.”
