Thane: The Thane police are now attempting to retrieve digital conversations between the two teenagers who allegedly killed their 17-year-old friend last month to finance their extravagance after an initial probe revealed they used an online messaging platform to plot the murder.
“The accused meticulously plotted the murder and communicated through an online messaging application before executing it. We will use technical expertise to retrieve and track their past conversations,” said Prashant Kadam, DCP, Zone V, Thane police.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, investigators said they recovered the kitchen knife allegedly used in the murder, along with the victim’s partly damaged mobile phone and smartwatch. The accused had allegedly dumped the items in a stationary private bus while returning after the killing on the night of Sept 24, apparently to mislead investigators.
Though the initial probe points to materialistic motives, with one friend allegedly wanting to throw an extravagant party on his birthday, while the other aspired to own a fancy motorcycle, the police said they are also trying to establish if there was any other trigger to the crime.
Presently, the cops are ascertaining whether the victim’s gold chain was sold or remains with the accused.
Investigators are examining whether the gold chain was the sole motive or whether the killing stemmed from other factors. Police may trace the chain’s origins and question the goldsmith who crafted it. The probe is also focused on whether the accused had a penchant for leading an extravagant lifestyle that may have led to the crime.
Investigators said they are investigating if the murder spot was a regular hangout for the three teenagers or was chosen specifically to execute the plan.
