Lonavala: Youth who went for a walk, tied hands and legs and killed; 7 years later, the accused was acquitted by the court

The Lonavala double murder.


The court has given an important verdict in the Lonavala double murder case that took place seven years ago. Salim Shabbir Sheikh, accused in the murder of two students, has been acquitted. Shabir Sheikh was acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence. The second accused in the case is a minor. Two students were killed. However, the court acquitted the accused citing lack of evidence.

After the double murder, the police had arrested Salim Sheikh and Asif Sheikh two and a half months later. The other accused was a minor. So he was released. Seven years later, Salim Sheikh was released after being produced in court. The accused severe punish. However, Salim Sheikh was acquitted of the charge of theft.


The event took place on April 3, 2017. Sarthak Wakchaure and Shruti Dumbre, both students of Sinhgad College in Lonavala, had gone for a walk in the hills behind the Bhushi Dam. Both the bodies were found later. Both had been shot in the head. Both the bodies had multiple injury marks on them. The students demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

During interrogation, one of the accused confessed to killing the victim, police said. The police later arrested the two accused. The accused confessed to the killing upon interrogation, the police said.

Asif and Salim saw the two at a secluded place and objected to them and started questioning them. But when they were told they would be leaving soon, they left. It's five minutes again. They took Sarthak and Shruti to a nearby bush. The accused first forced Sarthak to remove his clothes and took Shruti away.

When Sarthak tried to stop them, he was beaten to death. After she started shouting, the accused decided to kill her. The accused tied her hands with a piece of cloth and strangled her to death. The accused fled with cash and two mobile phones.