'I wish Jitin had told us of affair'

Murder accused Jitin Dedhia's brother says the family will never speak to him if he's guilty

Murder accused Jitin Dedhia's brother says the family will never speak to him if he's guilty

Just two months ago, the Dedhia family lost their daughter-in-law, Beena, in what they believed was a chain-snatching incident that ended in her death.

They were coming to terms with the tragedy when, on Thursday, they were told that Beena's husband Jitin was behind the incident.

Yesterday Jitin's elder brother Harakhchandra sat behind the counter of the family-run 80-year-old grocery shop in Lalbaug with a disbelieving look.

"All those people who looked at us with respect have started murmuring behind our back about Jitin's illicit relationship," said Harakhchandra.

Shocked: Jitin Dedhia's brother Harakhchandra at the family shop in Lalbaug yesterday.

Jitin wanted Beena dead so that he could marry his girlfriend Rupal Chheda, who is the wife of Beena's brother.

'We won't forgive'

"I do not believe the media reports, as I have not spoken to Jitin yet. But if he admits to his relationship with Rupal and to plotting the murder, we will never forgive him and break all ties with him," said Harakhchandra.

He continued, "He should've told us about the affair instead of plotting to kill Beena. We would have at least thought up a solution and Beena would have been alive today."

Harakhchandra said that Beena had never complained to the family about Jitin.

In Jail

Beena's parents who stay at Hindmata would only say, "We are very tense."

Meanwhile, the police produced all the five accused Jitin, Rupal, a middleman and two contract killers before the Esplanade court yesterday. They were remanded to police custody till December 27.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Nisar Tamboli said, "We are in the process of gathering evidence, which will help us establish the murder and conspiracy."

The Incident

Jitin allegedly hatched the plan to kill Beena on October 4. On October 27, Beena and Jitin were on a morning walk in Kalachowkie, when two motorcyclists struck, slashing Beena's throat and stabbing her. Jitin was injured on both hands.