Man found with head smashed, cops clueless

Nagpur: Lakadganj police seem to be struggling to find a clue in the murder of 43-year-old Manoj Waman, who was found with his head smashed with a boulder at a firewood depot at Danaganj on Friday. Waman, separated from two wives, used to sleep at the firewood depot after working in the day as helper at a country liquor shop in the vicinity. He also doubled up as a menial labourer.
Waman, working at the bar for the last four months, was found dead by a local tea vendor, who alerted the police control room at 7am. The blood dripping from Waman’s face and head made it apparent that he was murdered. Waman was identified by some relatives residing at a sweeper’s colony in the adjoining neighbourhood. It’s learnt that Waman’s family resides at Kharbi. He has two children from his first wife. Waman was also addicted to liquor.
Police said Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera footage collected from two shops showed faint images of a stranger roaming along with Waman in the wee hours of Friday. “We are trying to ascertain the identity of the man last seen with Waman. Several hawkers, vendors, shop owners and local residents were quizzed in connection with the murder but nothing has so far emerged from information they furnished,” said senior inspector SB Mane of Lakadganj police station. “The boulder used to murder the man has also been taken away by the assailants from the spot. We have found only pieces of the boulder likely used in the crime,” he said.
It’s learnt that Waman had gone to a hotel to request some container to bring food from somewhere. Police feels Waman had either gone to a religious programme to collect donated food or to a kin’s house for dinner. Waman had brought back some food with him. A portion of the food was still in the container near where he was found dead.
Police said Waman did not have money or any other valuables that could be stolen. Some cops feel that a sudden provocation could have led to the murder. An offence of murder has been registered at Lakadganj police station.