83-year-old grandfather arrested for grandson's death over property dispute: How bullet wound, blood stains exposed alleged coverup, leading arrest of 5 family members

A property dispute allegedly ended in the killing of a 33-year-old lawyer at his family’s hotel in Lonavala, after which his relatives allegedly tried to make the death appear to be an accidental shooting, Pune Rural police told TOI.

The investigation began after Abhay Manik Marathe was reported dead from a bullet injury on Monday afternoon. His family initially told police that he had accidentally shot himself while cleaning his grandfather’s licensed 12-bore rifle inside the hotel in Bhushi.

However, the nature of the gunshot wound and blood evidence at the scene raised doubts over the account. Police subsequently arrested Abhay’s 83-year-old grandfather, Motiram Marathe, for allegedly shooting him, along with four other relatives accused of destroying evidence and concealing the crime.


All five accused, residents of Bhushi in Lonavala, have been booked under Sections 103, 238 and 241 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Indian Arms Act.

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October 5, morning: Property dispute allegedly turns violent

According to Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Abhay and his grandfather Motiram had been involved in a dispute over the sale of one of their properties, as told to TOI.

Police said Motiram opposed the proposed sale. Investigators suspect the dispute escalated into an argument between the two on the morning of October 5.

According to Gill, the two again had a heated argument at around 11.30am. Police allege that Abhay charged at his grandfather during the confrontation, following which Motiram took out his licensed 12-bore rifle and shot him.

Police suspect the bullet struck Abhay in the chest, killing him.

Relatives allegedly move body and remove CCTV

After the shooting, police allege that Abhay’s sister, his uncle, his uncle’s wife and their son were alerted to the incident.

The four relatives allegedly arrived at the hotel and moved Abhay’s body into one of the rooms. Police said they also removed the hotel’s CCTV cameras and digital video recorder (DVR) and hid them.

According to Gill, the relatives allegedly threatened hotel employees and warned them against disclosing information about the incident.

They later informed Abhay’s parents about what had happened, police said.

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Monday afternoon: Family reports accidental firing

Lonavala City police received information from a hospital on Monday afternoon that Abhay, a lawyer from Bhushi, had died from a bullet injury.

His family members allegedly told doctors and police that Abhay had been cleaning Motiram’s 12-bore rifle inside their hotel when the weapon accidentally went off.

According to the account given to police, the bullet struck Abhay in the chest and killed him instantly.

Based on the initial information, Lonavala City police registered an accidental death case and began investigating.

Body examination raises police suspicion

The circumstances surrounding the death soon came under scrutiny.

Abhay’s body was sent to Sassoon General Hospital in Pune for a post-mortem examination. Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional SP Shubham Kumar and local crime branch inspector Pramod Kshirsagar inspected the body.

Police said the nature of the gunshot wound raised doubts about the family's version of events.

During the examination, investigators found no tattooing or smoking marks around the gunshot wound, according to police, PTI reported.

Gill said the injury did not appear consistent with an accidental or self-inflicted firearm injury.

“Self-inflicted or accidental firearm injuries are different from the injury we found on Abhay. In an accidental firing, it is unlikely for a rifle bullet to hit the chest,” Gill said.

Blood evidence at hotel strengthens murder suspicion

Following the examination, a crime branch team went to the hotel where the alleged accidental firing had taken place.

Investigators found a pool of blood on the wall beside the hotel counter and another pool of blood nearby. Blood splatters were also visible on a wall around five feet above the ground, police said.

According to Gill, the blood evidence increased the investigators’ suspicion that Abhay had been shot inside the hotel rather than being killed in an accidental firing while cleaning the rifle.

Hotel workers reveal property dispute

Police then questioned hotel workers and the manager about the circumstances surrounding Abhay’s death.

During questioning, hotel worker Aniket Jaisingh Ghussar reportedly told investigators that Abhay and Motiram had been involved in a property dispute in the days before the incident, PTI reported.

The information led investigators to focus on the dispute over the proposed sale of a property as a possible motive behind the killing.

Five relatives arrested

As the investigation progressed, police arrested Motiram on suspicion of shooting his grandson with his licensed 12-bore rifle.

Four other relatives were also arrested for allegedly helping conceal the killing and destroy evidence. They were identified as Rajashri Pawar, 58, Motiram’s daughter; Hiraman Marathe, 54, his son; Kavita Marathe, wife of Hiraman; and Manoj Marathe, 32, Hiraman’s son, as reported by PTI.

Police allege that the four helped remove and hide the hotel’s CCTV cameras and DVR following the shooting.

The five accused have been booked under Sections 103, 238 and 241 of the BNS and relevant sections of the Arms Act.

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Motiram holds two licensed rifles

Police said Motiram has two licensed rifles and obtained his arms licences in 1970 for hunting.

Gill said Motiram has three sons. Abhay’s father, Manik Marathe, is a former member of the Lonavala Municipal Council.

The investigation is continuing as police examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the alleged destruction of evidence and the sequence of events inside the hotel.