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Journalism of Courage
PUNE, Sept 27: Joint sessions judge S R Dongaonkar has convicted Tanaji More, Govind Kangare and Dattatray Raiphale and sentenced them to life imprisonment, one month’s rigourous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 600 each for wrongful confinement and murder of Balaji Shamrao Mankare, 28, a resident of Hadapsar.
On September 17, 1997, Mankare, a fruit seller, was on his way home with his brother Shivaji after dinner. They were stopped by Tanaji More, Mankare’s neighbour, who suspected More of having illicit relations with his wife.
After a heated conversation, the two brothers went home. More arrived at their doorstep sometime later, asking Mankare to accompany him home.
Soon after, Shivaji heard his brother cry out and went to More’s house which was bolted from the inside. He called the neighbours for help. More opened the door and ran towards the market. He was caught by the crowd outside. His partners in the crime, Govind and Dattatray, escaped. Mankare was found lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to Sassoon Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
The two accomplices were later arrested by the police. In all, 14 witnesses were examined.
