Techie murder: Cops record statements of couple’s parents

After a 30-year-old software engineer was allegedly strangled to death by her 22-year-old live-in partner at Badlapur in Thane on Wednesday, the police are recording their families’ statements.

The incident occurred after the couple fought over their marriage, the police said on Thursday. They have also seized their clothes and sent them to the forensic lab.

The engineer has been identified as Punam Punyakar Gajbhiye, from Nashik. She had been living in Badlapur since the past three years and worked with an IT firm at Kanjurmarg in Mumbai, the police said. Punam’s partner Vijay Sanjay Jharkad, 22, was a mobile repairer and had been living with her from the past six months in Badlapur.

On Wednesday, Jharkad allegedly strangled Punam with her scarf after she told him that she would not be able to continue the relationship as her family members were against it. After the incident, the accused locked the door of the flat and fled the spot. He met his friend nearby and told him about the murder.

His friend soon alerted the police and Jharkad was arrested. He will remain in police custody till March 11.

After the post mortem, Punam’s body was handed over to her family who took it Nashik to conduct the final rites.

Meanwhile, Jharkad’s parents have told the police that their son was in a relationship with Punam and that he her at home. His parents added that the couple was planning on getting married this year.

Investigation police officer M Polekar said, “We are recording statements of the couple’s parents. We are waiting for the forensic report.”

He added, “The watchman said that he did not know much about the couple as they