A tragic crime from 2016 has found closure as the Vasai Sessions Court sentenced four individuals to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 27-year-old Kavita Badala and their subsequent ransom attempt. The judgment, delivered on Thursday, brings a measure of justice to a case that had gripped the community with its horrifying details.
A Disturbing Sequence of Events
Kavita Badala, a resident of Arnala in Virar West, lived with her family while working at Ratnam Infotech, a company involved in multi-level marketing. On May 15, 2016, she informed her family that she would be meeting a client in Global City, Virar West. Tragically, this meeting would lead to her untimely death.
The convicts—Mohit Kumar Bhagat (33), Ramavtar Sharma (34), Shivkumar Sharma (33), and Yunita Shravanan (43)—had orchestrated a plan to confront Kavita over a financial dispute. Mohit alleged that he had invested money in Ratnam Infotech based on her assurance and demanded repayment. When Kavita refused, the confrontation escalated, culminating in her murder.
A Chilling Cover-Up
The crime occurred in a flat in Virar. Following the murder, the group attempted to cover their tracks meticulously. Mohit and Ramavtar stuffed Kavita’s body into a suitcase and transported it to a remote jungle near Sakhre village in Palghar. There, they dumped the body and later returned to burn it. However, the fire failed to completely destroy the suitcase or the body, leaving behind critical evidence.
Meanwhile, Yunita took Kavita’s laptop bag to Andheri railway station and abandoned it in an attempt to mislead investigators. The group believed this would buy them time to carry out their next move—a ransom demand.
The Ransom Plot
On May 16, Kavita’s father, Kishanlal Kothari, a jeweler, filed a missing person report at the Arnala police station after his daughter failed to return home. The following day, Mohit called Kishanlal using Kavita’s phone and demanded ₹30 lakh in cash and 3 kg of gold, threatening grave consequences if the demands were not met.
Kishanlal, distraught but determined, informed the police. This transformed the case from a missing person’s report into one of kidnapping and extortion. With police guidance, Kishanlal agreed to the ransom demand, setting a trap for the perpetrators.
Swift Police Action
On May 18, as the accused arrived to collect the ransom, officers from the Arnala police station apprehended them. Further investigations revealed the full extent of their crime. The accused were charged with murder, kidnapping, extortion, and destruction of evidence.
Circumstantial Evidence and Witness Testimony
The case heavily relied on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies. According to the prosecution, 53 witnesses were instrumental in building a solid case against the accused. Two of the witnesses were drivers who had been hired to transport the suitcase containing Kavita’s body. Another key witness was the station master at Andheri railway station, who provided information about the abandoned laptop bag.
Technical evidence, including phone records and forensic findings, further supported the prosecution’s case. The court commended the diligent work of the investigating officer, API Sandip Shivale, and praised the additional public prosecutor for presenting a compelling case.
Justice Served, but a Family’s Grief Remains
The Vasai Sessions Court handed down life sentences to the four accused and imposed a fine of ₹61,000, to be paid to Kavita’s father as compensation. Kishanlal, overcome with emotion after the verdict, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow. “They should have been hanged,” he said tearfully, reflecting the depth of his grief and the brutality of the crime.
A Community’s Shock and Relief
The crime shocked the Vasai and Virar communities, not only because of its gruesome nature but also because of the elaborate measures taken by the accused to evade justice. For many, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the critical role of law enforcement in ensuring that justice is served.
Conclusion
While the life sentences bring some closure, the scars left by the crime remain for Kavita’s family and loved ones. The case highlights the devastating consequences of greed and betrayal and underscores the need for a strong legal system to deter such heinous acts. As the Vasai Sessions Court’s decision reverberates through the community, it sends a clear message that justice, though sometimes delayed, will ultimately prevail.
