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In a chilling case reminiscent of a popular thriller, a 42-year-old Pune man is accused of murdering his wife, burning her remains in a custom-built iron box, then filing a missing person report to mislead investigators, raising deeper questions about pre-meditation and the allure of cinematic cover-ups.
The accused confessed that he was influenced by the movie while plotting the murder.
Pune: In Pune’s Shivane neighbourhood, 42-year-old Samir Punjabrao Jadhav lived with his wife, 38-year-old Anjali Jadhav, their two children and his mother. Anjali worked as a teacher in a private school while her husband ran a garage and fabricated iron structures.
Investigators say the couple had frequent arguments after Samir suspected Anjali of having an extramarital relationship. In fact, police say the evidence showed he himself was involved in an affair and manipulated messages and call-records to frame her.
On 26 October the two went for a drive toward Khed Shivapur. At night they reached the rented godown in Shindewadi near Gogalwadi Phata. While sharing snacks under the pretext of a casual outing, Samir allegedly strangled his wife. He then placed her body in the iron box, poured fuel, burnt it and later scattered the ashes in a riverbed.
Meticulous Planning, Cinematic Inspiration
Police say Samir’s actions were premeditated and methodical. He rented the space a month before, stored wood and fuel, fabricated the box and arranged logistics while sending his children away.
During interrogation he confessed that he had watched “Drishyam” several times and used ideas from it to plan how to dispose of the body and mislead investigators.
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Two days after the murder Samir filed a missing-person complaint at the local police station, claiming Anjali had gone to meet a friend. He visited the station repeatedly, acting concerned. Yet when CCTV footage was analysed, it showed the couple travelling together on the day in question and his story began to unravel.
Due to inconsistencies in his statements, and with technical evidence pointing toward foul play, the Warje-Malwadi police, under the supervision of DCP Sambhaji Kadam, continued the investigation and finally arrested him. He is now booked under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and destruction of evidence.
This case stands out not only because of the brutality of the act, but also because it shows how media or cinema narratives can influence crime planning. The accused chose a dramatic means of disposal, invested time in planning and tried to stage normalcy by filing a fake missing report. The irony is stark: using a plot device from a film meant for entertainment to mask real-life horror.
The clear message: investigators must remain alert to nuances in behaviour, CCTV and digital footprints, especially when the façade of grief and confusion is being deliberately maintained.
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With the accused in custody, the next focus will be on forensic analysis of remains, establishing the chain of events in the rented godown, and tracing the role of the extramarital relationship and digital evidence. The legal process will also weigh the involvement of others and the destruction of evidence.
For law-enforcement and society, this case serves as a reminder of how fiction can be mis-used, and how detailed, patient investigation can pierce even the most calculated of cover-ups.
