Pune: A SIM card cover found inside a bloodstained sack helped Sangvi police crack a murder case in Pimple Gurav after two severed human legs were discovered near a roadside garbage dump on Friday, DCN News Network reported.

Source: DCN News Network

The case came to light at around 11 am on Friday, when two waste collectors, Krishna Lot and Omkar Kale, spotted a bloodstained sack among garbage dumped along the road between Ramakrishna Mangal Karyalaya and Katepuram Chowk. Suspecting animal remains at first, they opened it and found two human legs severed below the knees, and immediately alerted the authorities.

During the inspection of the sack, police found a discarded SIM card cover carrying a mobile number. Following that number, investigators contacted the victim's family and identified the victim as Anil Khade.

The trail led police to Khade's friend, Vishnu Tanaji Kumbhar. When officers reached his residence, they found the house locked and the accused missing. Police broke open the lock, and on searching the house after noticing a strong foul smell, they found Khade's body inside, investigators said.

According to the preliminary investigation, Khade and Kumbhar had consumed alcohol together before a heated argument broke out. Police allege that Kumbhar attacked Khade on the head with an iron object, leaving him unconscious, and then used a sickle to cut off both legs below the knees. Police suspect the severed legs were packed into the sack and abandoned at the roadside dump in an attempt to mislead investigators and conceal the crime. These details are allegations reported by police and have not been proved in court.

Kumbhar has been arrested. The Free Press Journal also reported the case, saying a SIM card holder led Pimpri-Chinchwad police to the accused after a man allegedly killed his friend and cut off both legs.

Source: The Free Press Journal

The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Atolye, Assistant Commissioner of Police Manisha Kadam and Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Koli. Further investigation is underway, police said.