Pune: In a tragic incident at Ambethan in Mhalunge MIDC, a young woman was murdered by being stabbed in the neck and abdomen after refusing a marriage proposal driven by one-sided love.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Crime Branch Unit 3 team apprehended the accused after a chase on the Satara-Karad Road.

The deceased has been identified as Prachi Vijay Mane, 21, a resident of Ambethan, Khed, originally from Islampur, Walwa. The accused, Aviraj Ramachandra Kharat, a resident of Bahe, Taluka Walwa, was arrested.

The police were alerted to the murder around 11:15 PM on Sunday, following reports of a girl being stabbed in the neck at Ambethan.

Senior Police Inspector Shailesh Gaikwad and other senior officers immediately arrived at the scene. The investigation revealed that Aviraj, driven by unreciprocated love and the refusal of marriage, attacked Prachi with a knife, leading to her death. To destroy evidence, Aviraj took Prachi's mobile phone and fled the scene.

Acting on a tip-off that Aviraj was traveling on a two-wheeler on the Satara-Karad Road, the police set a trap and chased him for 15 kilometers. Aviraj tried to escape upon spotting the police but was eventually apprehended.

Three mobile phones and a two-wheeler were seized from him. Further investigation is being conducted by the Mhalunge MIDC police.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the severe consequences of unrequited love turning into a violent obsession.

The police have urged citizens to report any suspicious behavior to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety of individuals, especially young women, in their communities.