Man stabs live-in partner to death, held

BHAYANDAR: Less than 48 hours after he mounted a murderous assault on his live-in partner over a trivial issue on Tuesday, the accused landed in the custody of the Thane (rural) police for the crime. According to the police, the incident was reported from an apartment in Navghar village, Bhayandar (east). The 32-year old deceased Mona (name changed), a mother of two, separated from husband over a year ago, following which she got acquainted with the accused, Murshid Shaikh, alias Munna, last year. They started staying together in a rented apartment in Navghar village. A few days ago, Mona’s cousin brother came to Mumbai. However, Munna was against him staying in their apartment, leading to heated arguments. On the fateful night, the verbal fight

over the issue turned ugly. Munna lost his temper and in a fit of rage stabbed Mona in the stomach and neck with a kitchen knife, before fleeing. A critically injured, Mona was rushed to a private hospital from where there she was shifted to a government hospital in Kandivli. After battling for life for two days, she succumbed to her injuries. The accused worked as a waiter. The police suspect him to be an illegal immigrant. “The couple had been staying there for eight months. They were alone at the time as the kids had gone to their native village in West Bengal. We have arrested the accused and are checking his documents to ascertain his credentials,” said senior inspector Prakash Birajdar. The accused has been remanded in police custody till February 26 after he was produced before the sessions court, Thane on Thursday. —Suresh Golani