Vakode, who has confessed to the murder, says he was driven to kill the priest as he was in dire financial straits. Having resigned from the ashram on June 30, Vakode was scouting around for alternative employment. He claims he was anxious to get married but could not afford a wedding with the Rs 1,100 he earned at the ashram.

So, on the night of July 10, Vakode climbed over the ashram wall and crept up to the priest's chamber. Reciting `Hari Om' to give the impression that he was no stranger, he knocked on the door of the priest's apartment. Once inside, he stabbed the priest and walked straight to the cupboard. After taking the Rs 15,000 he found inside,Vakode slipped away. Vakode headed for his native village in Buldana district, where he buried the money under a tree. He now claims the cash was stolen. Police were clueless for over a week and began questioning employees and former employees of the ashram, located on Saki-Vihar Road near Powai lake. Police grew suspicious of Vakode due to discrepancies in his alibi.