The Thane Rural Police arrests two persons in connection with the murder of a jewelery shop clerk in Shahapur

The Thane Rural police have arrested two people, including a history specialist, in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Dinesh Kumar Manaram Chaudhary, a jewelry shop clerk in Shahapur, who was shot dead on his bike by two gunmen last month. The accused have been identified as Shashank alias Sonu Balram Mishra, 32, a resident of Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh, and his associate Ankit Yadav. Faizan Pappu Siddiqui, who is also involved in the case, is currently absconding.

“We have formed twelve teams to investigate the matter. We analyzed two dozen CCTV footage from Shahapur to Bhiwandi and along the highways. With the help of technical intelligence, we traced the location of the accused, Mishra, and discovered that he was hiding in Uttar Pradesh. We contacted the UP Police in his case. With the help of a special task force, Shashank alias Sonu Balram Mishra, 32, was arrested from Manjhanpur village. Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh We have launched a manhunt for the remaining two accused, Ankit alias Pintu Yadav and Faizan Pappu Siddiqui, who was arrested from a UP court where he was granted remand and later produced in a Shahapur court where he was lodged. remanded in police custody for investigation till January 13,” said Jitendra Thakur, senior police inspector, Shahapur police station.

Police stated that they had not yet found the weapon used in the crime. Shashank alias Sonu Mishra is a repeat offender who has been charged with murder and attempted murder in Uttar Pradesh. Tausif Alam Siddiqui, 35, a resident of Kaushambi district in Uttar Pradesh, provided shelter to the accused in Bhiwandi. The suspects were in and around the store for five days before committing the crime.

Event background:

A 25-year-old salesman working in a jewelry store died after two bike-borne attackers shot at him and another employee on the night of December 21, 2024 in Shahapur. Both attackers fled the scene with a bag containing documents and a registration book.

The deceased, identified as Dinesh Kumar Manaram Chaudhary, 25, was shot while another employee managed to escape unharmed. The incident took place outside Mahalaxmi Jewelers in Godeghar, Pandit Nagar, Shahapur around 9.15 p.m., when the salesman and three employees were returning home after closing the shop.

Two assailants on bikes arrived and allegedly shot at the two employees, injuring Chaudhary, while another employee managed to escape. The other two workers walked ahead of them.

Locals rushed to the spot after hearing gunshots and found Chaudhary lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital and then transferred to a hospital in Thane, where he was pronounced dead on Sunday during further treatment.

Shahapur police reached the spot and registered a case against two unknown persons. Preliminary investigation revealed that one bullet was fired from close range and hit Chaudhary in the waist.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Milind Shinde of Shahapur division said, “Prima facie, it appears that the crime may have been committed with the intention of robbery.”