Nagpur: An Akola court on Tuesday sentenced Manish Mhatre to death for the murder of his wife and nine-year-old daughter, while also imposing a fine of Rs 10,000. The court further ordered that if the sentence is commuted or substituted under law, Mhatre shall remain imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life.
Additional district and sessions judge Tejwant Singh Agrejsingh Sandhu pronounced the sentence after convicting Mhatre on Sept 17. Mhatre walked into a police station at around 5.30 am on April 24, 2024, accompanied by two cousins, and allegedly informed officers that he had killed his wife and daughter with an axe, according to the prosecution. At the house, police found the bodies of Rashmi Mhatre (30) and her nine-year-old daughter, Mahi, lying in pools of blood.
Following the disclosure, assistant sub-inspector Sanjay Bhagat, who lodged the complaint, proceeded to Mhatre’s residence. Investigators also recovered an axe and an iron rod allegedly stained with blood. Additional public prosecutor Mangesh Mankar represented the state, while PI Manoj Bahre led the investigation. Police head constable Ajay Wankhade and ASI Sunil Dipakwar of Ramdaspeth police station, along with ASI Anwar Khan of the CMS cell, assisted the prosecution during the trial.
Background on Mhatre Family Dispute
The court has been informed that Mhatre and his wife, Rashmi, have been living apart for nearly five years due to ongoing family disputes. Rashmi and their daughter, Mahi, have been residing in Mumbai, where Rashmi is employed at a private company. Recently, the family traveled to Akola to attend a wedding scheduled for April 26. They were staying at Mhatre’s residence when the tragic killings occurred.
Prosecution Presents Evidence in Mhatre Case
During the trial, the prosecution presented a case based on circumstantial, medical, and forensic evidence, examining 14 witnesses. Despite Mhatre’s father and a neighbor becoming hostile and retracting their support for the prosecution, the legal team maintained that the remaining evidence formed a coherent chain that established the accused’s guilt.