Panvel traffic inspector nabs triple murder accused at Navratri checkpoint
Inspector Subhash Pujari of the Panvel traffic branch caught a man wanted for killing his mother, brother and nephew in Buldhana within hours of the crime.
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The Panvel traffic branch caught an absconding accused in a triple murder case at a checkpoint on October 10, 2026. Police Inspector Subhash Pujari, in charge of the branch, and his team were conducting a checkpoint near the Ambedkar statue as part of a special Navratri drive. The drive was being run under the guidance of Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Joint Commissioner Deepak Sakore, Deputy Commissioner Dr Rahul Khade and Joint Commissioner Yogesh Gawde.
During the checkpoint, the team noticed a suspicious man loitering there. When Pujari questioned him closely, he gave evasive answers. A wound on his hand raised suspicion further.
Pujari then won his confidence and questioned him at length. The man gave his name as Deepak Fatehsingh Suradkar (44), a resident of Buldhana. He made the shocking confession that he had brutally murdered his mother Saraswati (75), brother Sanjay (48) and nephew Ranjit (21) over a family and land dispute, and had fled.
After the confession, Pujari immediately contacted Chikhli police station in Buldhana to confirm it. It became clear that a case of triple murder had been registered against the accused. Thanks to the alertness of the traffic branch, the dangerous fugitive was arrested within a few hours.
Constables Vishwanath Patil, Keshav Nikam, Dhembare, Sanjay Ghatge and Mahendra Galve played an important role in the operation along with Pujari.
The incident has revived a point of discussion in police circles. Officers and personnel in the force often do not get postings that match their interests or skills. The traffic department has many officers and personnel who have to work there without any interest in field work or traffic control, while many sharp officers with a special skill in solving crimes are serving in the traffic branch.
Police circles are now saying that if such officers got suitable opportunities in the crime branch, detection branch or investigation teams at police stations, it could greatly curb crime. The Navi Mumbai Police has many officers and personnel in the traffic department, like Pujari, who have a keen interest and skill in crime detection. It is also being said that they need to be given a chance in the crime branch or the detection teams of police stations so that their abilities are fully used. The Panvel traffic branch's feat is being seen as a fresh and telling example of this.
