The Chilling Case of Ashwini Bidre: 9 Years, No Body, and a Killer in Uniform

Some stories are so disturbing, they stick with you long after you’ve heard them. This is one of those.

It’s about a woman who wore the police uniform with pride, served her country with honor, and vanished without a trace. And it’s also about a man — someone in that same uniform — who later stood accused of the unthinkable.

This is the true story of Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bidre Gaur and how it took nine long years for justice to finally catch up with her alleged killer — a fellow police officer who once earned a gallantry award for bravery.

Sounds unbelievable? Let’s walk through it.

A Promising Officer Just... Disappears

Back in April 2016, Ashwini Bidre, posted at the Goregaon Police Station in Mumbai, didn’t show up for work. Her family tried calling, searching, hoping—but nothing. She wasn’t the type to vanish without telling anyone. Something felt wrong from the start.

They filed a missing person report, but weeks went by with no progress. Then months. Still nothing.

Behind the scenes, however, her story was already starting to unfold — just not in the way anyone expected.

Suspicion Falls on a Fellow Officer

It didn’t take long for people to notice a name that kept popping up during the early investigation — Senior Inspector Abhay Kurundkar.

Ashwini and Abhay weren’t just colleagues. Reports say they had a personal relationship. Some even claimed they were romantically involved. Ashwini had allegedly left her husband, and there were rumors she wanted to marry Abhay. But he was already married, and things between them had started to fall apart.

That’s when the story takes a dark turn.

According to the investigation, Ashwini may have confronted Abhay about taking the relationship forward. Some believe she was even threatening to expose him for corruption. Whether it was emotional pressure or fear of getting caught, the police later claimed that Abhay decided to silence her — permanently.

A Crime Too Chilling to Imagine

What happened next sounds like something out of a crime thriller — but it’s horrifyingly real.

Police say that Abhay murdered Ashwini, cut her body into pieces, stuffed it into sacks, and, with the help of two accomplices, dumped the remains in Vasai Creek. Her body was never found.

One of the men who helped him was his driver, and the other was a close friend working at a bank.

It’s the kind of crime you’d expect hardened criminals to commit — not a senior police officer who once swore to protect lives.

A Medal for the Murderer?

Here’s where the story becomes even more shocking.

In 2017, just a year after the alleged murder, Abhay Kurundkar received the President’s Gallantry Award — one of India’s highest honors for bravery.

Yes, you read that right.

The man under suspicion for murdering a colleague was awarded for heroism. The court, during sentencing, even questioned how the police department could recommend someone under such serious suspicion for such a prestigious medal.

Was no one paying attention? Or was this a case of someone protecting one of their own?

The Fight for Justice

For nine years, Ashwini’s family waited. Her daughter grew up without a mother. Her parents lived with unanswered questions. Her ex-husband, who had been long separated from her, stood by her family and demanded justice.

Eventually, technical evidence cracked the case wide open.

Location tracking from Google Maps placed Abhay at Vasai Creek on the day Ashwini vanished. He had claimed he was on patrol, but the digital records told another story. Fake logbooks, falsified duty records — everything was part of a cover-up.

In 2025, the Panvel Sessions Court finally delivered its verdict:

Abhay Kurundkar was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

His two accomplices were convicted of helping dispose of the body and destroying evidence.

When the judge read the sentence, one of the accused reportedly fainted in court. As for Abhay? He remained emotionless. No remorse. No apology.

A System That Failed

This wasn’t just a personal tragedy. It exposed deep flaws in the system — from internal police investigations to how slowly justice moves when powerful people are involved.

Many believe political pressure delayed the case, allowing the accused to continue wearing the uniform and even receive honors.

Even the court acknowledged this and called for disciplinary action against the officers who stalled or mishandled the investigation.

And that’s where the real fear lies — if this can happen to a police officer, what chance does the average person have?

The Public Responds

The public didn’t stay silent. As soon as the verdict was announced, social media lit up with anger and disbelief. People were furious that it took almost a decade for justice to be served — and even more outraged that someone like Abhay could receive national recognition while under suspicion.

Citizens demanded stricter background checks, faster justice, and accountability within the police force. Some even called for revoking Abhay’s award posthumously — a move that might bring symbolic closure, even if it’s too late for real change.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Crime

Ashwini Bidre’s case is a tragedy on many levels.

A woman who stood for justice was betrayed by someone she trusted. Her life ended not at the hands of a stranger, but at the hands of someone who once wore the same badge.

The legal system eventually did its job, but it took nine long years. For her family, the emotional wounds may never fully heal. But at least now, they know the truth. And sometimes, truth is the first step toward healing.

Let this be more than just a headline. Let it be a wake-up call — for the system, for the public, and for those in power who forget that the uniform is meant to protect, not deceive.