Stories
Lawyer Abhay Marathe Murder Case: Five Arrested After Shocking Turn in Lonavala
- •The death of lawyer Abhay Manik Marathe at Hotel Motiram in Lonavala on October 5 has turned out to be a murder, contrary to initial claims of an accidental shooting.
- •Police investigation revealed that Abhay was shot dead by his grandfather, Motiram Rawji Marathe, following a heated dispute over family property and land sales.
- •After the shooting, the accused allegedly attempted to cover up the crime by removing CCTV cameras, hiding the DVR, altering the crime scene, and destroying evidence.
- •Police have arrested five family members in connection with the murder and destruction of evidence, and the Vadgaon Court remanded them to police custody until October 12.
Key Questions Answered
Abhay Marathe was shot dead following a dispute with his grandfather, Motiram Rawji Marathe, over family property and land sales. While Motiram favored selling a portion of the property, Abhay opposed it, causing long-standing tensions that culminated in a fatal argument on October 5.
Police grew suspicious of the initial claim that Abhay died from an accidental rifle discharge due to post-mortem findings, blood stains and wall splatters at the scene, and inconsistencies in the sequence of events. Investigation further revealed that the crime scene had been altered, the rifle moved, and CCTV equipment hidden.
Five family members, including Motiram Marathe for alleged murder and four others for destroying evidence and concealing the crime, were arrested and remanded to police custody until October 12, 2026.
