MUMBAI: The Pant Nagar police team investigating the murder of Ghatkopar-based diamond merchant Rajeshwar Udani on Monday arrested a 20-year-old Bengal native who was driving the car, in which Udani was picked up from Vikhroli on November 27 night and murdered. Police sources say Udani was lured by the prime accused, Sachin Pawar, saying a `rave party’ had been organised for him at Panvel.According to sources, Sachin, a former personal assistant of a state minister, had sent an aspiring model in the i10 car—it was seized on Monday—driven by Pronit Babu Bhoir alias Joma (20) to pick up Udani. Sachin had also allegedly arranged a cake “as part of the party”. The model is now the prime witness in the case, sources said. The i10 belongs to a Malad resident and police were in the process of recording her statement on Monday.“Pawar arranged the model to accompany Udani. After the car went some distance, three others got in. They killed Udani and smeared the cake all over his face to hoodwink police if stopped at any nakabandi,’’ a police officer said. Sachin and suspended police constable Dinesh Pawar, who is suspected to have smothered Udani to death, were arrested on Saturday.Sources said the plot was hatched after November 17. According to police sources, that day Udani, after downing a couple of drinks with Sachin in a bar, went to actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee’s flat in Goregaon . There, Udani showed interest in her, which angered Pawar as he was in a “serious relationship” with her, sources said. According to sources, Sachin said this was the trigger for the murder. Next evening Sachin allegedly met his friend Dinesh and narrated the incident and plotted the murder.Sachin and Udani also had a financial dispute. The duo had started a company and had availed a loan of Rs 3 crore but Udani who had used up a large part of the funds refused to pay up. “We have found several text messages on financial transactions between Sachin and Udani which needs to be clarified,” said an officer. Police have ruled out any involvement of Devoleena in the murder.

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