Nagpur: The arrest of the fourth accused on Friday in the contract killing of a 45-year-old man, allegedly plotted by his estranged wife, has brought all conspirators within the police net.Arjun Patle (21), described by investigators as the key conspirator behind the crime, was arrested from Khat village in Mouda taluka after police laid a trap based on a tip-off.The victim, Ganesh alias Gurudev Borkar, was hacked to death on the night of July 2 while returning home from a tea stall near Bhandewadi railway station. During the investigation, police uncovered an alleged conspiracy hatched by his wife, Manisha Borkar alias Pardhi (37). Sources said Patle did not participate in the attack but allegedly masterminded the murder.According to police, Manisha and Ganesh had been living separately after years of domestic disputes. During interrogation, she alleged that Ganesh routinely assaulted her after consuming alcohol, had attempted to kill her with a knife on May 30, and behaved inappropriately with her daughter from her first marriage.Police said Manisha hired four assailants, including the two juveniles, to kill Ganesh. She allegedly promised them Rs2.5 lakh and paid Rs1.75 lakh before the murder.Investigators had earlier arrested Manisha and Abhijit Sakhre (29), besides detaining the two juveniles, who are also accused in another murder case. Patle had been absconding since the crime before being tracked down in Mouda taluka.Further investigation is underway to establish the precise role of each accused and gather additional evidence, police said.
