Shreya Varanasi, Pune
A 26-year-old female IT professional was shot dead in a hotel room in the Pimpri Chinchwad’s Hinjewadi area on Saturday night. The victim has been identified as Vandana Dwivedi, who hailed from Lucknow, and came to Pune after she joined a prominent IT firm. Her boyfriend has been arrested for allegedly murdering her and a pistol was recovered from him.
The police had received information about the firing and they found the body on the floor when they reached the hotel. Reportedly, the deceased was shot four times – two gunshots to the head and one each in the abdomen and chest. The police apprehended the accused, identified as 27-year-old Rishabh Nigam, in Mumbai. He has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and Arms Act.
The initial investigation revealed that Dwivedi and Nigam were both from Uttar Pradesh and had been in a relationship for the past 12 years. She was employed at a large IT company in Hinjawadi, whereas her boyfriend resided in UP. According to the official, Nigam seemed upset as the deceased had begun to avoid him lately.
According to a report from News 18, the accused shot the deceased on Saturday night and then escaped. CCTV footage from the lodge showed Nigam leaving the premises on that same night. Pimpri Chinchwad ACP Vishal Hire told the Times of India (TOI) that Nigam hired a cab to Mumbai after leaving the hotel. The police subsequently began scanning vehicles at checkpoints and apprehended him. Senior police officer Vishal Hire informed the media, “The hotel room booking was made under the names of Vandana and Rishabh. Therefore, he is our primary suspect. Further investigation is ongoing.”
The police and hotel representatives told the TOI that none of the hotel staff, guests, or neighbours heard the sound of the gunshots. The hotel manager said that people associated with the Maratha quota agitation were having loud celebrations on the streets at the same time.
An official revealed that further investigations, including determining the exact motive and tracing the source of the weapon, are currently underway.