Young Pune IT professional found murdered on city outskirts

The body of a 25-year-old IT professional working for a multinational company was found brutally murdered on the outskirts of Pune, triggering a high-profile police probe.

The victim, identified as Saurabh Swami Athawale, a native of Solapur’s Mohol taluka and resident of Mangdewadi in Pune, was employed with a Japanese engineering firm. Police said his body bore multiple injuries inflicted with sharp weapons.

Athawale’s elder brother, Sangram, lodged an FIR at Rajgad police station on August 19 after filing a missing complaint a day earlier. Saurabh had gone missing on August 18, and his body was discovered the following morning on a deserted road near Shindewadi, along the route to the Old Katraj Tunnel.

“Preliminary investigation and post-mortem confirmed death due to sharp weapon injuries. A murder case has been registered and investigations are underway,” a Rajgad police officer said.

A senior Pune Rural police officer revealed that CCTV footage and other initial leads point to a relationship-related dispute as the likely motive. “We have identified some suspects and questioned several people. Multiple angles are being explored,” the officer added.

Police have invoked Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, pertaining to murder.