Bhayandar: Old-fashioned legwork and hands-on investigation helped police nab a murder accused within 36 hours after the commission of the crime.

According to the police, the accused, Sanjay Prasadi Sharma alias Tanti (38), allegedly attacked his friend Anees Nabi Khan (46) with a sharp sickle, inflicting a fatal wound to his neck. As per the police, the incident occurred at 3:35 am on June 11, police personnel of Central Crime Branch, Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate, said.

The assault took place in Bhayandar West and was reportedly fuelled by a personal dispute.

Due to the criminal past of Sharma, the case was swiftly handed over for parallel investigation to the Central Crime Branch. A breakthrough came when investigators traced Sharma’s movements and located him in Kusgaon, Lonavala. Acting swiftly, the crime branch arrested him on June 12.

“This was a calculated and violent crime. He was a habitual offender and had a 2018 murder case registered at Thane Central Police Station,” Avinash Ambure, DCP (Crime), said.

Sharma has confessed to the murder citing personal enmity as his motive. Investigators confirmed that Sharma had been previously residing in Murdha village in Bhayandar West for the last three years.

“This arrest also raises questions about how individuals with such serious past offenses manage to stay hidden in plain sight,” said DCP Ambure.