Search on for slain executive's remains

Mumbai: In a bid to find the mortal remains of Kirti Vyas (28) — finance executive of an Andheri-based salon who was illegedly murdered by two of her colleagues — the Mumbai crime branch has gathered information on the tides on March 16 when her body was dumped in an open drain in Mahul village after being strangulated by the accused.

According to the investigators, the Maharashtra Maritime Board informed them that it was high tide on that fateful night and hence, her body could have been washed away either into the creek or the adjoining mangroves.

A fleet of four fishing boats carrying fishermen and police personnel conducted a search operation for the second consecutive day. Vyas was thrown into the creek by main accused, Siddhesh Tamhankar (35), who also strangled her to death inside the moving SUV owned by co-accused, Khushi Sahjwani, the officials said. While Vyas was strangled at around 11 am en route Mumbai Central to Saat Rasta, her body was disposed at around 9.30 pm, the police said.

A senior crime branch officer said, “We searched the channel that leads to the creek, however, nothing was found there. It is difficult to scan the dense mangrove patches. It is one of the possibilities that the body might be stuck there.”

The local fishermen have told the police that the mangroves are home to jackals and vultures and since it has been nearly two months since Vyas’ body was disposed, chances of success are less. Meanwhile, the crime branch is also scanning accidental deaths in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas to find remains similar to Ms Vyas. Tamhankar, who was seated on the rear seat of the SUV, murdered Vyas and allegedly dragged her body to the rear seat. The seat is connected with the boot and investigation has revealed that Tamhankar pushed Vyas’ body inside the boot soon after. After committing the crime, the duo took the car to Mahul and disposed Vyas’ body.

Another crime branch officer said, “When they were questioned, they claimed that they had gone there to have some private moments. The remains of blood in the boot ultimately led to their arrest.”