Nagpur Crime: Archana Manish Puttewar ‘Plotted’ Father-In-Law’s Murder for 300 Crore Property

Archana Manish Puttewar, the assistant director in the town planning department, was arrested last week, over a fortnight after her father-in-law Purushottam Puttewar was run over by a car. The police reported that Ms. Puttewar allegedly hired people for the hit, spending about Rs 1 crore to have her father-in-law knocked down.

This was done to make the murder look like an accident, apparently to gain control of his property of Rs 300 crore. The officer added that the 53-year-old woman allegedly plotted the murder with her husband’s driver Bagde and two other accused, Neeraj Nimje and Sachin Dharmik.

They have been charged with murder and other sections under the IPC and Motor Vehicles Act. Two cars, gold jewellery, and mobile phones have been seized.

On the day of the incident, Purushottam Puttewar had gone to the hospital to meet his wife Shakuntala, who was recovering after a surgery. On his way back, the hired car ran him over.

His son and Archana’s husband Manish is a doctor. The investigation into the murder case has also found gross irregularities in Ms. Puttewar’s work in the town planning department.

There were multiple complaints, but no action was taken owing to her political connections, the probe has found. She is accused of violating norms and clearing illegal layouts.

This arrest and the serious charge of plotting a family member’s murder may also prompt a deeper investigation into alleged irregularities in her work.