Mumbai: A shocking murder case has emerged from Chandrapur, where a serving policewoman has been arrested for allegedly poisoning her father, a fellow police officer, in a crime that went undetected for three years.
The accused, Arya Ballawar, was taken into custody along with three others after new evidence surfaced in the case, which was initially recorded as a natural death in 2023.
Death initially treated as sudden illness
On April 25, 2023, Jayant Ballawar, 45, a Maharashtra police officer, collapsed and died shortly after reaching the District Magistrate’s office.
According to police, he had consumed a milkshake prepared by his daughter before leaving for duty. At the time, his death was attributed to sudden illness, and no post-mortem examination was conducted, leading to the case being closed without suspicion of foul play.
Confession reopens case
The case took a dramatic turn last week when Arya’s husband, Ashish Shedmake, approached the police and confessed to the crime.
He reportedly told investigators that the murder had been premeditated and planned jointly. According to his statement, Arya poisoned her father due to his opposition to their relationship.
Police said Arya had been in a relationship with Ashish since 2022, which her father disapproved of.
Murder allegedly planned with accomplices
Investigations revealed that Arya allegedly involved her cousin, Chaitanya Gedam, 22, in the plan. He was reportedly paid ₹5,000 to procure the poison, while a fourth individual—yet to be publicly identified—supplied the substance.
On the day of the incident, Arya is accused of mixing the poison into a milkshake and serving it to her father before he left for work.
The delayed onset of symptoms and absence of immediate suspicion allowed the case to go unnoticed at the time.
Troubled marriage and fallout
After Jayant Ballawar’s death, Arya and Ashish got married. However, their relationship soon deteriorated.
Ashish was dismissed from police training due to indiscipline, and the couple reportedly had frequent disputes. Arya continued to live at her parental home, which further strained their marriage.
These tensions are believed to have led to Ashish’s eventual confession, which brought the case back into focus.
Four accused in custody
Following the confession, police arrested all four accused:
- Arya Ballawar
- Ashish Shedmake
- Chaitanya Gedam
- The alleged supplier of the poison
All are currently in custody, and further investigation is underway to establish the full sequence of events and gather additional evidence.
Conclusion
The case highlights how a crime can remain hidden for years before new information brings it to light. With the arrests made, authorities are now working to ensure a thorough investigation and legal proceedings in what has emerged as a deeply disturbing case of betrayal and premeditated murder.