TV cameraman dies while covering Thane family murder

Thane (Maharashtra), Feb 28  In yet another tragedy, a cameraman of a television news channel suffered a heart attack while covering the grisly killings of a 14-member family and died soon after, police said here on Sunday.

The cameraman has been identified as Ratan Radheshyam Bhowmik, who on Sunday morning went to Thane Civil Hospital where the bodies of the 15 victims were taken for an autopsy. 

Soon after reaching the hospital and viewing the bodies, he complained of chest pain and collapsed, before succumbing to a stroke, police said.

Later, it was learnt that he had a history of heart problems and had undergone angioplasty around a year ago.

Police are trying to ascertain whether he had also visited the bungalow in Kasarvadavli area of the city where the gruesome murders were committed.

Many people of the state were shocked when news of the killing of 14 members of a Thane family, which included infants in cradles, broke out this morning.

The murders were committed by a 32-year old income tax consultant Hasnain Anwar Warekar, who slit the throats of his family members, including his parents, wife, two daughters, three sisters and nieces-nephews, before hanging himself.

One of his sisters, Sabia Yusuf Bharmal, who was also attacked and grievously injured by a large knife, pretended to be dead and later screamed for help.

She was rescued by youths from the neighbourhood and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital where her condition has stabilized.

Police had a tough time keeping at bay a large number of stunned onlookers who rushed to the crime scene from Thane and surrounding areas.