The Navi Mumbai police have engaged a private agency to locate the remains of assistant police inspector Ashwini Bidre-Gore, believed to have been dumped in the Bhayandar creek by the accused, also a police officer, an official said today.
The Navi Mumbai crime branch has engaged private oceanographers to survey the Versova creek, said the official who is part of the probe to trace the remains of Bidre-Gore.
The private agency will advise police on whether to continue their search for the remains.
Investigators suspect that the accused, identified as police inspector Abhay Kurundkar, allegedly killed Bidre-Gore in his flat and dumped her body parts in the water body to destroy evidence.
Kurundkar and Bidre-Gore, both married, were allegedly in a relationship.
"This agency will also study details like scanning of the sea-bed, the pattern of the water force, mud etc besides the wind direction," the official said.
When asked about the charges, the official said they are "not so high that police cannot afford".
"We have a special fund earmarked for investigation. The charges of the agency will be paid from this fund," said another official.
Bidre-Gore (37), who was attached with the Human Rights Cell of Navi Mumbai police, has been missing since April 11, 2016.
The accused inspector, arrested last December, is a recipient of the President's medal.
Police unravelled the crime after the crime branch arrested one Mahesh Palnikar, the childhood friend of Kurundkar.
Palnikar had told the police that Kurundkar decided to kill Bidre-Gore when she started pressing him for marriage, the official said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
