Court gives life sentence to cop who killed subordinate

By Sagaya Fernando | April 21, 2025

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Panvel, Maharashtra, India: In a chilling case that gripped Maharashtra for nearly a decade, the Panvel Sessions Court has delivered a landmark verdict in the 2016 murder of Assistant Police Inspector (API) Ashwini Bidre-Gore. The main accused, dismissed police inspector Abhay Kurundkar, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal crime. Two of his accomplices, Kundan Bhandari and Mahesh Phalnikar, received seven-year prison terms for their role in disposing of the body and tampering with evidence.

The judgment marks the end of a long and emotionally charged legal battle, with the court finally delivering justice in a case that has highlighted both the horrors of betrayal within the police force and the challenges of seeking accountability from those in power.

Key Facts:

Location: Panvel, a city and taluka in Raigad district, Maharashtra, India.

Verdict: Life imprisonment for Abhay Kurundkar under Section 302 of the IPC.

Accomplices: Bhandari and Phalnikar convicted under Section 201; sentenced to 7 years.

Victim: API Ashwini Bidre-Gore, missing since April 2016.

Body Not Recovered: Conviction secured through circumstantial and digital evidence.

Trial: Involved 84 witnesses and began in 2018; concluded in 2025.

Public Prosecutor: Pradip Gharat led the prosecution after his appointment in 2019.

A Murder Cloaked in Uniform

Bidre, a respected police officer, disappeared in April 2016 after last being seen with Kurundkar, her colleague. According to the court's findings, a personal dispute led Kurundkar to murder her at his residence in Bhayander. He then allegedly dismembered her body with a sharp weapon, placed the remains into iron trunks and sacks, and, with the help of Bhandari and Phalnikar, dumped them into Vasai creek.

Despite intensive searches spanning over two years, her remains were never found. Yet, the Panvel court ruled the absence of a body was not enough to obscure the overwhelming circumstantial and scientific evidence pointing to Kurundkar’s guilt.

Digital Footprints Seal the Case

A critical turning point in the investigation came through the use of advanced digital forensics. Google Maps data, mobile location tracking, and Call Detail Records (CDRs) played a central role in linking Kurundkar to the murder scene and disposal site.

Prosecutors demonstrated that on the night of the murder, Bidre's phone remained at Kurundkar's flat until late evening. His mobile location later placed him at Vasai creek—the site where her remains were allegedly dumped. Kurundkar had also sent misleading texts from her phone days later in an attempt to fabricate her continued existence.

Adding to the deception, Kurundkar falsified police duty logs to establish an alibi, claiming he was on patrol duty when the crime occurred. Investigators later proved this was a deliberate manipulation of official records.

Systemic Failures and Delays

The court was critical of the police's initial handling of the case, pointing out that significant delays and alleged political interference hampered the investigation. It took more than a year after Bidre was reported missing for authorities to arrest Kurundkar and register the case formally.

The judge, K.G. Paldewar, emphasized that disciplinary action should be taken against officers who delayed the investigation, stating that justice had nearly been derailed by institutional lethargy and possible political shielding.

The Medal Controversy

In a shocking twist, the court also raised questions about Kurundkar being awarded the President’s Medal for Gallantry in 2017—while he was an accused in the murder case. Judge Paldewar expressed disbelief and called for an inquiry into how a murder suspect could receive such an honor from the police department.

Final Sentencing and Emotional Aftermath

The sentence was pronounced after hearing from Bidre’s family, particularly her father and daughter, who the court described as the “true victims” of the crime. During the sentencing hearing, one of the convicted accomplices, Mahesh Phalnikar, collapsed in the courtroom, underscoring the intense emotional toll the verdict has had on those involved.

Prosecutor Pradip Gharat called the case one of the rarest of rare, demanding the strictest punishment possible. “It’s not just about a murder—it’s about the betrayal of trust, misuse of power, and manipulation of justice by a police officer,” he said.

A Landmark Verdict

This verdict stands as a milestone in India’s criminal justice history, demonstrating that justice can prevail even in the most complex cases where no physical body is recovered. The Panvel court's reliance on scientific and circumstantial evidence, along with its condemnation of police misconduct, may set a precedent for future trials involving crimes committed by those in uniform.

As the family of Ashwini Bidre finally finds closure, the case leaves behind a sobering reminder of the dangers of power unchecked—and the enduring strength of truth and justice.