Overview
- Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch Unit‑7 detained four suspects in June 2026 after receiving a confidential tip that challenged the original accidental-death finding.
- Police say the victim, Ashpak Mulani (alias Nihal), was killed in December 2021 following a dispute over about ₹1.5 lakh and his body and motorcycle were dumped in Phonda Ghat to mimic a road accident.
- The four held are named as Manoj Narayan Bhandge, Surendra Sonawadekar, Atish Bhagwan More and Ruturaj Shetty and investigators report they confessed to involvement during questioning.
- Two other accused, Amit Raut and Manoj Bhandari, remain absconding and the detained men have been handed to Kankavli police while officers gather technical and testimonial evidence to refile charges.
- The case highlights how intelligence-led review and coordination between Mumbai and Sindhudurg police can overturn earlier conclusions and raises scrutiny of informal loan operations linked to the suspects.