Kirtikumar Sonar of Narayan Peth hacked to death his companion Urmila Memane (35) at his rented room in the servants' quarters of the Aundh Chest Hospital on August 11 evening. The incident went unnoticed till yesterday evening as Sonar had locked the place leaving the dead body inside.

On August 12 morning, he ended his life outside the Pune Railway Station. The railway police, who filed a case of accidental death immediately after the incident, had found a suicide note in which he had confessed to the murder. The note did not mention his full name or address.

Sonar's body lay unclaimed at the Sassoon Hospital morgue for three days. He was identified only when his father reached the Sassoon Hospital.

Urmila's murder came to light around the same time when Sonar's wife Sangita broke open the door of his quarters. She found the widow's decomposed body in a pool of blood last evening. Later, Urmila's nephew Bajrang Yevle (26) of Chinchwad, lodged an FIR with the Chatuhshrungi police accusing Sonar of murdering the widow.

Urmila was working with the Naidu Hospital as a peon ever since her husband, also a health department employee, died some six years ago. She and her three children were residing at Chinchwad along with her sister and nephew ever since.

Preliminary investigations by the police have revealed that she shared a close relationship with Sonar. Urmila left her workplace around 5.30 p.m. on August 11 and was seen at the servants' quarters half an hour later.

Sonar had married about three months ago. About a fortnight back, he took possession of the room in the servants' quarters.

According to the police, Urmila was stabbed with a kitchen knife. She bore 16 deep injuries besides some bruises. Sonar's blood-stained clothes were also found at the quarters. Sonar had told a friend that he intended to commit suicide on August 11 night. Later, on the same night he had informed his wife about his plans to end his life.

Sonar left his parents' house on August 12 morning apparently to meet a friend at Hadapsar. He had also borrowed Rs 150 from his wife before leaving, the police said.