Mumbai Crime Branch to probe Sandhya Singh case

Mumbai, Feb 14 (PTI): The city Crime Branch will probe the case of Sandhya Singh who was missing since mid-December but suspected to be murdered as some skeletal remains believed to be of her were found near a school in the neighbouring Navi Mumbai.

"The case has been transferred from the crime branch in neighbouring Navi Mumbai to Mumbai's crime branch," said a police officer.

The family members have been demanding that the case be transferred to Mumbai crime branch as they were not satisfied with the progress of the case probed by Navi Mumbai police.

Sandhya (50), wife of a senior Customs officer, has not been traceable since December 13 when she went to a bank in Nerul carrying jewellery worth around Rs 20 lakh with her, police said.

A fortnight ago, the skull and bones, suspected to be that of Sandhya's, were found at a patch of marshy land near an elite school in Nerul area. The human remains were spotted by Michael Oates, a geologist, on Sunday near the missing woman's residence, they said.

The remains were sent for forensic and DNA examination.

Police suspect the remains could be of Sandhya Singh, the sister of yesteryear actresses Sulakshana and Vijeta Pandit.

Sandhya's two brothers are noted Bollywood music composers Jatin-Lalit. She stayed with her family at NRI Colony in Seawoods, Nerul.

According to police, on December 13 Sandhya was on her way to the local branch of Abhyudaya Co-op Bank, about 3km from her residence, to deposit the jewellery in the locker.

Sandhya was dropped near the bank by her friend Uma Gaur, who was in a car, and since then she has been missing, police said.

The victim's husband suspects his wife may have fallen prey to a trap laid by somebody. He had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information on whereabouts of Sandhya.