Ashwini Bidre Murder Case: Panvel Court Gives Life Sentence To Inspector Kurundkar, Orders Probe Into Police Lapses

In a landmark verdict that concludes a nine-year-long legal battle, the Panvel Sessions Court on Monday sentenced suspended police inspector Abhay Shamsundar Kurundkar to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bidre. The gruesome case, which had shocked Maharashtra, saw justice finally delivered after years of persistence from the victim’s family and consistent legal efforts.

In a detailed 410-page judgment, Additional Sessions Judge K.G. Paldewar ruled that Kurundkar, a former senior police inspector, had meticulously planned and executed the kidnapping and murder of Bidre. The court held that Kurundkar killed Ashwini Bidre, dismembered her body, and disposed of the remains in a creek near Bhayander. The court relied on the doctrine of corpus delicti, due to the absence of the body. The conviction came based on strong circumstantial and technical evidence.

Kurundkar was convicted under Section 302 IPC (murder) read with Section 235(2) CrPC, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also found guilty under multiple other charges, including Sections 364 (kidnapping), 323 (assault), 506(2) (criminal intimidation), 417 (cheating), 465, 468, 471, 218 (forgery and falsification of records), and 201 (destruction of evidence), receiving separate sentences for each. The court ordered all sentences to run concurrently. It also granted him set-off under Section 428 CrPC for the time he has already spent in custody—from December 7, 2017, to April 21, 2025.

Two co-accused in the case, Kundan Namdeo Bhandari and Mahesh Manohar Phalanikar, who assisted Kurundkar in disposing of the dismembered body, were sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment under Sections 201 and 34 of the IPC. However, as they had already completed this period in judicial custody, the court ordered their immediate release. They were acquitted of more serious charges under Sections 302, 364, 120-B, and 34 IPC.

The court refrained from awarding the death penalty, stating that while the murder was brutal, it did not meet the criteria of being ‘exceptional’. The judge emphasized the potential for reformation and the age of the accused in determining the sentence, also considering his family circumstances, including an unmarried son and a married daughter. Kurundkar had lost his wife during the Covid period.

The case came to light after Bidre’s father received a call from her workplace regarding her prolonged absence. This was followed by a complaint filed on July 14, 2016. A formal criminal investigation was initiated only on January 31, 2017, after her husband approached the High Court.

Judge Paldewar expressed serious concern over procedural lapses committed during the early stages of the investigation. He ordered the Navi Mumbai Commissioner of Police to initiate an inquiry against the then investigating officers, including Senior Police Inspector Kondiram Pophere and former ACP Prakash Nilewad, for their negligent and delayed actions. The judgment also questioned how Kurundkar’s name was proposed for the President’s Medal despite the serious allegations against him, recommending a separate inquiry into the committee responsible.

Furthermore, the court responded to allegations by Ashwini Bidre’s former husband Raju Gore, who accused senior police officials, including then-Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, of siding with the accused. The court instructed that Gore be granted an audience by the Police Commissioner in this regard.

In line with the deceased’s family’s wishes, the court stated it would recommend to the Raigad District Legal Services Authority that instead of compensation from the accused, Bidre’s salary till her retirement be directed toward the education of her daughter.

Public Prosecutor Adv. Pradeep Gharat, who led the prosecution, described the case as heavily reliant on circumstantial evidence, adding that a clear sequence of events and technical findings helped secure the conviction. ACP Sangita Shinde Alphonso, who headed the investigation team, said the case presented numerous challenges, but persistent efforts over several years ensured justice was served.

With the sentencing, Ashwini Bidre’s family expressed partial satisfaction while indicating plans to approach the High Court seeking stricter action against all individuals responsible for the delays and alleged cover-ups in the investigation.