Nanded: The body was found in a company's office. The investigation has now reached the company's people.
Nine people have been arrested so far in the death of farmer Chandrakant Shinde, whose body was found last week at the office of KF Enterprises near the Hingoli Gate bridge in Nanded city.
Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan said the Special Investigation Team, Vazirabad police and the local crime branch arrested three more accused from Nanded and Parbhani. They are Harpreet Singh alias Gandu (40), a recovery operator from Abchalnagar in Nanded; Satpal Singh Khalsa (47), a recovery operator and secretary of Kuberfal Credit Society; and Sheikh Shoeb Sheikh Mehmud (21), an employee associated with Khalsa Finance.
Earlier, Jaykumar alias Shera Bhagwan Gaikwad (22), Sheikh Amer Sheikh Saheb Hussain (25), Ian Khan (40) and Sheikh Mudassir Sheikh Khadir (24) were arrested on October 26. KF Finance partner Sheikh Ahmed alias Aslam Mohammed Bashir (38) and manager Sumedh Shekojirao Doibale (21) were arrested a day later.
The case was registered at Vazirabad police station on October 24 after Shinde's wife lodged a complaint, under sections 103(1), 140(1), 140(2), 142, 127(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A case of murder and kidnapping has been registered against the firm and its associates.
"Considering the seriousness of the incident, we have constituted an SIT to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation," Rohan said. "Farmers and residents facing illegal harassment, threats or coercion by finance companies should not take any extreme step out of fear or emotional distress. They should immediately approach the nearest police station or call the emergency helpline 112."
Police said the investigation is focused on the role of those associated with the recovery operations and on the circumstances that led to Shinde's death. The first four accused were in police custody till Thursday, while Ahmed and Doibale have custody till October 31.
Revenue department figures show complaints against finance companies have risen in rural Maharashtra over the past few years. Such complaints usually allege high interest rates, daily collection and the retention of documents.
Further legal proceedings are under way.