Chaitanya Balpande, a 13-year old partially disabled teenager was beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend Sumit More. The boy's mother Rakhi Balpade was eyeing on the Rs. 10 lakh insurance policy which was in Chaitanya's name. The insurance policy was done by Chaitanya's father and Rakhi's estranged husband Tarun Balpande.
Locals and neighbours have alleged that Rakhi used to torture her son by beating him repeatedly. She used to force her son to exercise for four hours, lock him up when she went out and starved him. She also use to make Chaitanya wash dishes. Rakhi's mother wanted to take away Chaitanya with her but Rakhi threatened that she would file a kidnapping charge against her.
A female neighbour who tyried to raise a voice was also threatened.
Speaking to mid-day, Assistant Inspector Suryakant Marode of the Vishrantwadi police station, who is investigating the case, said, “Rakhi’s estranged husband, Tarun, had taken out an insurance policy in Chaitanya’s name and she wished to present the murder as a case of accidental death, which is why she kept cooking up various theories. We are further investigating the case and will arrive at a conclusion by August 14, after recording the statements of Rakhi’s mother and her husband Tarun.”
Rakhi had earlier said that Chaitanya fell down in the bathroom but the autopsy revealed that Chaitanya died due to blunt force on his chest and abdomen. He was beaten by Rakhi with a cricket bat.
Chaitanya was taken to hospital on August 5.
Rakhi's boyfriend has also been arrested as the co-conspirator and both has been remanded to police custody till August 12.