Petrol Pump Owner Murder Case: Driver's Greed Took a Deadly Turn, Called Friends from Nepal for the Crime

Vasai:The gruesome murder of petrol pump owner Ramchandra Gurmukhadas Kakrani of Ulhasnagar has shocked the city. The case took an unexpected turn when it was revealed that the owner was murdered by his own driver, Mukesh Govardhandas Khoobchandani, along with two accomplices summoned from Nepal. The motive behind the murder was pure greed, stemming from the sight of the owner's expensive jewelry and watch.

Mukesh, who had been employed as a driver by Ramchandra just five months earlier, was tempted by the lavish lifestyle of his employer. One day, after noticing Ramchandra's diamond-encrusted ring and expensive watch, he inquired about their cost from the petrol pump manager. When Mukesh learned that the watch was worth ₹40 lakh and the ring ₹30 lakh, greed clouded his judgment. Aware of Ramchandra's routine of collecting cash from his multiple petrol pumps daily, Mukesh devised a plan and called his old friend Anil Mallah and another accomplice from Nepal to Mumbai.

On August 25, Mukesh picked up Ramchandra from Ulhasnagar to the Virar petrol pump. After collecting cash from the pump, Mukesh drove towards Vajreshwari Road, Parol, where his two accomplices boarded the car. Once inside, one of them demanded Ramchandra's ring. Upon refusal, Ramchandra slapped the attacker, which led to the culprits smothering him with a handkerchief. Ramchandra's resistance proved fatal as they ended up killing him. The assailants then stole the ring, the watch, and all the cash from the car before fleeing the scene.

"Life on the Run: Lavish Nights and Giving the Stolen Money to Sex Workers"

After the murder, the culprits abandoned the car and fled. They made their way to Ahmedabad via an auto-rickshaw to Virar Fata and further traveled through Dahod, Indore, Jhansi, and Kanpur, eventually reaching Gorakhpur. Along the way, they stayed in various hotels and even spent some of the stolen money on sex workers. In a display of audacity, they even distributed part of the looted money to the sex workers. The culprits were overconfident, believing they would never be caught.

Vasai-Virar Police showed remarkable diligence in solving this case. By tracing Mukesh's deactivated mobile number's CDR, the police identified several contacts, one of which led them to Nepal. Fearing that the accused might flee to Nepal, the police alerted the UP STF. In a joint operation, Mukesh and Anil were arrested from Gorakhpur, while the third accused is still at large.

Mukesh was hired by Ramchandra only five months before his death. Mukesh’s old friend, who worked in Ramchandra’s building, helped him secure this job. Little did Ramchandra know that the person he offered employment would end up betraying and murdering him.

This incident forces society to confront the depths of human greed and the betrayal of trust. It was not just a murder; it was a shattering of faith and values. The quick response of the police led to the arrest of two accused, but the full truth behind the crime is yet to be revealed as the search for the third accomplice continues.