Bodies of artist Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer found in drain

The Mumbai police’s crime branch is investigating the double murder of artist Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer after the duo were found in drain in Kandivali on Saturday evening.

Investigators said that the bodies were found on Saturday evening stuffed in cardboard boxes, and that it seemed both of them were strangulated to death but none have any external injury marks on their bodies.

“The bodies were tied and packed, sewed in a box. The bodies have been sent for an autopsy to Bhagwati hospital,” said a senior police officer.

According to the police Hema and her lawyer Harish Bhambhani, have been missing since 8.30 pm on Friday evening and were found the following evening. Hema is fighting several property disputes cases in court against her husband, Chitan, including a divorce case. The couple have been living separately for at least five years. Bhambhani has been representing Hema in all cases.

Police said that Bhambhani left his residence in King circle, Matunga around 6.30 pm on Friday informing his family that he is going to meet client in Andheri. Preliminary Probe has revealed that Hema left her home in Juhu on Friday morning and went straight to her studio in Laxmi Industries off Veer Desai Road in Andheri.