Pregnant woman beaten, burned to death in Maharashtra

Mumbai: A 31-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly beaten unconscious and then set on fire to death in Maharashtra, with police arresting four people in connection with the brutal killing and launching a search for two others who remain absconding.

The dead body of the victim, Pinky Hanumanth Kadak, from Ahilyanagar, was found half-burnt in an isolated area along the Dhule-Solapur National Highway. The discovery led police to uncover the circumstances surrounding her death and begin an investigation into the suspected murder.

Preliminary findings indicate that the violence began following a dispute at an art centre in the Jamkhed area. During the confrontation, the accused allegedly assaulted Kadak severely, leaving her unconscious. Believing she had died, they reportedly decided to dispose of her and destroy evidence.

The suspects allegedly transported her by car to the Dhule district, around 275 kilometres from the original location. They then took her to a secluded hilly area, poured petrol over her body and set her ablaze, according to the investigation.

CCTV footage from the area proved crucial in tracing the suspected killers. Investigators focused on a vehicle seen in connection with the incident, which eventually led them to the four suspects who were arrested.

Police are questioning the four men to establish the precise sequence of events and determine the involvement of others. Two additional suspects believed to have played a role in the killing are still on the run.

The search for the absconding suspects has been intensified, while investigators continue examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the full circumstances of the crime.