Nagpur: In a tragic yet remarkable display of loyalty, a pet dog guided a grieving family to the lifeless body of its master, Devidas alias Gaju Ramaji Chachane (56), who had gone missing near Khursapar Lake in Kalmeshwar Tehsil near Nagpur. The shocking discovery was made on Monday evening, exposing what police suspect to be a case of cold-blooded murder.
Chachane, a resident of Pilkapar, Kalmeshwar, and a milk vendor by profession, had taken his buffalo herd for grazing in the nearby forest, as part of his daily routine. However, when he failed to return by evening, his family grew anxious. His son, accompanied by the family’s pet dog, ventured into the woods in search of him.
Canine instinct unmasks the crime scene
Gold Rate
25 April 2025
The search took a heartbreaking turn when the dog led the family deep into the forest, stopping at a spot where Chachane’s lifeless body lay in a pool of blood. The brutal attack had left a deep gash on the back of his head, indicating he was struck with a sharp weapon.
Authorities were alerted immediately, and teams from Kalmeshwar Police Station and the Local Crime Branch (LCB), led by PI Manoj Kalbande, rushed to the scene. Senior officials, including Additional SP Ramesh Dhumal, Dy SP Anil Mhaske, and PI Prakash Kokate, supervised the preliminary investigation.
Motive behind the murder remains a mystery
Police estimate that Chachane was attacked between 5 pm and 5:30 pm, just hours after he left home with his cattle at 11 am. Suspicion looms over multiple angles:
· Drunken brawl: Chachane was known to consume liquor occasionally, and investigators are probing whether a dispute turned violent.
· Land dispute: Officers believe farm owners may have targeted Chachane if his bovines damaged their crops.
· Rivalry among cowherds: Tensions over grazing land cannot be ruled out, say officials.
· Personal enmity: While the family insists Chachane had no known enemies, police suspect an undisclosed conflict may have led to his murder.
Crucial leads & next steps
Sources said that the unexpected return of Chachane’s buffaloes alone raised suspicion, as the pet dog remained by his side instead of following the herd home. This anomaly triggered the family’s search, ultimately leading to the tragic discovery.
Police are now gathering forensic evidence, analyzing mobile records, and questioning locals to trace Chachane’s last movements. Although no family members have been questioned yet due to their mourning, officials stress that all angles remain open.
The loyalty of a pet dog helped uncover a brutal crime, but who killed Chachane, and why? The mystery lingers as investigators dig deeper into the case.
