Two cousins were arrested in Junnar taluka, Pune, on Sunday for killing a 20-year-old youth on August 2 and disposing of his body in a gorge in Phalode village, Ambegaon taluka, about 110 km from the city. The Pune Rural police revealed that the murder was a result of a land dispute. The incident came to light during the investigation of a missing person's complaint filed by the victim's father, Nikhil Gholap, with the Otur police on August 7. Assistant inspector Lahu Thate and his police team apprehended the suspects, Abhishek Gholap (21) and Jitendra Gholap (31), both residents of Watkhale village in Junnar taluka. They have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing disappearance of evidence of the offense. The Ghodegaon police discovered Nikhil's decomposed body on August 15, which was later identified by his relatives through photographs and clothing. The investigation revealed that the suspects had been in contact with the victim and their location was traced to Junnar. Upon further questioning, the suspects confessed to the murder.The arrested individuals mentioned that the victim, Nikhil, had been harassing and mistreating them for several months. Reportedly driven to frustration by the ongoing harassment, they allegedly devised a plan to get rid of Nikhil, as stated by Tadvi. According to Tadvi, Nikhil resided alone at his residence in Vatkhale after his parents had relocated to Rajgurunagar for work. He recounted how on the night of August 1, the pair lured Nikhil from the Junnar bus stand by pretending to take him to the Bhimashankar temple. Along the way, they bought alcohol for Nikhil. Upon reaching Phalode village in Ambegaon taluka, they coerced Nikhil to consume alcohol. They then led the intoxicated Nikhil to a hillock, where, upon realizing their true intentions, he confronted them. Subsequently, they fatally attacked him with a large stone and disposed of his body in a nearby gorge. Additionally, they discarded Nikhil's cellphone in the Kukadi river, added Tadvi.