Man Arrested for Faking Death to Claim Insurance in Latur

Latur: What initially appeared to be a tragic car fire on a deserted road in Maharashtra has turned into a chilling case of deception, financial distress, and cold-blooded murder.

Late one night in December, police in Latur district were alerted about a vehicle engulfed in flames on an isolated stretch of road. Inside the charred car lay a burnt body, seemingly pointing to a fatal accident involving a lone driver. But investigators soon realised the scene did not add up.

The position of the body, inconsistencies in burn patterns, and missing personal belongings raised red flags. What looked like an unfortunate mishap gradually revealed itself as a carefully staged crime.

Police have arrested Ganesh Gopinath Chauhan, accusing him of murdering another man to fake his own death and fraudulently claim a life insurance payout of ₹1 crore.

Financial Pressure Behind a Desperate Plot

According to investigators, Chauhan had been under severe financial strain for years. He had taken a housing loan of ₹57 lakh to purchase a flat in Mumbai, where he lived with his wife and children. Employed with a private finance firm, his income reportedly fell short of meeting loan repayments and household expenses.

Mounting debt, unpaid instalments, and the fear of losing his home pushed him into distress. Police said Chauhan had earlier attempted suicide, an incident linked to his worsening financial situation. Acting on family advice, he later moved his family back to his native village in Ausa, hoping to reduce expenses.

However, the loan burden persisted. Investigators believe it was during this period that Chauhan began planning what he thought was an escape route.

Insurance Policy and a Calculated Crime

Police allege that Chauhan took out a term insurance policy worth ₹1 crore in his own name, intending to eliminate himself on paper while ensuring financial security for his family.

On the night of December 13, Chauhan reportedly left home with his car and laptop. During his drive, he encountered Govind Yadav, a 50-year-old man who allegedly requested a lift. Yadav was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

Investigators say Chauhan offered him food, after which Yadav fell asleep in the car. Chauhan then allegedly drove to a deserted road, shifted Yadav into the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, locked the doors, and set the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene.

The intention, police believe, was to make authorities think Chauhan himself had died in the blaze, allowing his family to claim the insurance amount.

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Investigation Exposes the Deception

The plan began to collapse when forensic teams found discrepancies between the victim’s identity and Chauhan’s background. Call records, location data, and behavioural inconsistencies pointed investigators toward Chauhan rather than the deceased.

Superintendent of Police Amol Tambe said Chauhan was taken into custody after investigators reconstructed the sequence of events and confirmed the identity of the victim.

Further investigation is underway to establish the full timeline, verify insurance documentation, and determine whether any additional parties were involved in the attempted fraud.