Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Five Arrested After Dubai Returnee’s Ghatkopar Death Investigated as Murder
Sapna Pramod Ganji was a 35-year-old woman who had returned to Mumbai from Dubai.
She was found dead at her home in Ghatkopar on August 16.
Her mother-in-law and four relatives of a former domestic worker were arrested.
Police say they planned the killing and were promised money.
They allege Sapna was attacked with a glass, chilli powder and a dupatta.
Police also say pressure was applied to her neck.
At first, the death was described as a bathroom accident, but investigators became suspicious after seeing marks on her neck and blood on her head.
The accused remain in police custody while authorities investigate what happened.
Police arrested Sapna Pramod Ganji’s mother-in-law and four members of a domestic worker’s family.
Police allege the group planned to kill Sapna and promised the Jadhav family Rs 3 lakh.
Sapna was found dead at her Ghatkopar residence on August 16, 2026.
Investigators cited neck marks, head bleeding, CCTV and technical evidence as reasons for suspecting murder.
The five accused were remanded to police custody, while the investigation continues.
- Who
- Sapna Pramod Ganji died; police arrested her mother-in-law Dhanalakshmi Bhikshapati Ganji and four members of the Jadhav family.
- What
- A suspicious death was registered as an alleged murder involving a suspected premeditated conspiracy.
- When
- Sapna was found dead on August 16, 2026; arrests occurred on August 17 and 18.
- Where
- Sapna’s residence at Triveni Apartment in Pantnagar, Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
- Why
- Police allege the conspiracy was linked to continuing resentment over earlier domestic-harassment and domestic-violence cases.
Police Allegation
Initial Death Account
Cause of death
Police Allegation
Police allege Sapna was attacked, strangled with a dupatta and had pressure applied to her neck.
Initial Death Account
Dhanalakshmi initially allegedly told police that Sapna fell in the bathroom after being pushed during a quarrel.
Nature of the incident
Police Allegation
Investigators allege the killing was planned about a month in advance and involved multiple people.
Initial Death Account
The initial account presented the death as an accidental fatal injury rather than a planned killing.
Evidence under review
Police Allegation
Police cite dark bluish neck marks, head bleeding, CCTV footage and technical evidence as contradicting the accident account.
Initial Death Account
The accused’s final positions will be assessed as police continue questioning them and examining evidence.
- Victim
- Sapna Pramod Ganji, 35
- Incident date
- August 16, 2026
- Location
- Triveni Apartment, Pantnagar, Ghatkopar, Mumbai
- Arrests
- Five people, including Sapna’s mother-in-law and four members of the Jadhav family
- Alleged payment
- Rs 3 lakh promised to the Jadhav family
- Initial explanation
- Dhanalakshmi allegedly claimed Sapna slipped and fell in the bathroom
- Police custody
- Dhanalakshmi was remanded until August 24; the four Jadhav family members until August 28