Maharashtra: Man Wanted For Killing Live-in Partner Found Dead In Kolhapur Forest; Suicide Suspected

Kolhapur: A 26-year-old man accused of killing his live-in partner was found dead in a forested area of Shahuwadi taluka on Thursday morning, bringing a two-day police manhunt to a grim end. The man, identified as Satish Maruti Yadav, allegedly died by suicide after hanging himself from a tree. He had been missing since Tuesday afternoon after reportedly stabbing his partner, Samiksha Bharat Narsinge (23), to death.

Yadav, a resident of Shivaji Peth in Kolhapur and originally from Pendrewadi in Undri village, had been in a live-in relationship with Narsinge for the past four months. According to a Lokmat Times report, the couple had an argument over marriage at their rented house in Sarnobatwadi, following which Yadav allegedly stabbed Narsinge between 2.30 and 3 pm on Tuesday. Narsinge’s friend, who was also present at the time, was locked inside the house along with the victim as Yadav fled the scene on a two-wheeler.

After the incident, police launched a search for Yadav, who was later traced to Nandari village in Shahuwadi taluka. He had reportedly taken shelter at a friend’s house there on Tuesday evening. However, he left early the next morning around 6.30 am without informing anyone. His sudden disappearance led to another search operation by local police and his acquaintances.

Body Found Hanging From A Tree

On Thursday morning, Yadav’s body was discovered hanging from a tree in a remote forested patch within Shahuwadi police station limits. Preliminary investigations suggest he died by suicide, likely on Wednesday morning. A case was registered at Shahuwadi police station in connection with his death.

Police teams from Gandhinagar police station, along with the local crime branch, had been actively pursuing Yadav since the murder. Officers visited his native village, questioned his relatives, in-laws, and friends, and conducted checks at lodges across Kolhapur district. The efforts to trace him ended with the discovery of his body.

Cops have sent the body for post-mortem examination. While investigations into the murder case are ongoing, the police believe the dispute over marriage was a key factor behind the fatal incident. Further legal procedures are being carried out at Shahuwadi police station.