Panvel: A Panvel sessions court today sentenced the main accused Abhay Kurundkar in the sensational murder of API Ashwini Bidre to life imprisonment.

Kundan Bhandari and Mahesh Phalnikar, who were also found guilty along with Kurundkar, for disposing of the dismembered body, were sentenced to 7 years in prison. However, as both the accused had already served 7 years in prison as undertrials, they were released.

Earlier, the court had held Kurundkar guilty of murdering Ashwini and dumping her body parts in the Bhayander creek. The court had also held that Bhandari and Phalnikar had helped Kurundkar dispose of Ashwini's body parts.

The Panvel court sentenced Kurunkar to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000.

Meanwhile, Bhandari and Phalnikar, who were convicted in the case of destroying evidence, were sentenced to 7 years and a fine of Rs 10,000.

Kurundkar has been convicted under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for murder and also for destroying evidence, under section 364 (kidnapping) 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 thousand, under section 323 (assault) one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 thousand and under section 506(2) (threatening) 7 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 thousand.

He has also been convicted under section 417 (cheating) for imprisonment for one year and a fine of Rs 3 thousand, under section 465 (forgery) two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs five thousand, under section 468 (forgery) 7 years and a fine of Rs 10 thousand, under section 471 (forgery) two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 thousand, under section 218 (forgery) three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 thousand.

Indications of action against police officers who delayed the investigation

The accused benefited from the negligence by investigating officers investigating this case. Due to this, Ashwini Bidre's body was not found.

Panvel court has suggested that action should be taken against the then senior police inspector Kondiba Popere and assistant police commissioner Prakash Nilewad, who delayed the investigation.

The court announced that the verdict will be sent to the Police Commissioner for this.

Similarly, the court has also sought investigations against the committee which recommended Kurundkar's name for the President's Medal.