Lonavala Property Feud Turns Fatal as Octogenarian Shoots Grandson With Licensed Firearm A purported accidental shooting in Pune's Lonavala unraveled into a murder investigation after police discovered an 83-year-old grandfather fatally shot his 33-year-old grandson over a financial and property dispute. A bitter family conflict over real estate and financial settlements culminated in a lethal shooting at a popular hospitality venue in Lonavala within Pune district. The violent confrontation occurred on October 5 on the premises of Hotel Motiram in Bhushi village, claiming the life of 33-year-old Abhay Manik Marathe. While the household initially presented the tragedy as an unfortunate weapon misfire during routine cleaning, rigorous scrutiny by Pune Rural Police and local investigators exposed deliberate homicide. The primary suspect named in the killing is the victim's 83-year-old grandfather, Motiram Marathe. The Initial Cover Story of an Accidental Discharge Immediately following the gunfire, relatives claimed that the elderly patriarch was maintaining his firearm when it discharged unexpectedly, critically wounding Abhay. The injured young man was hurried to medical care, but he succumbed to trauma during emergency treatment. Operating on early statements provided by those present, the Lonavala city police initially registered an accidental death inquiry. The victim was the son of Manik Marathe, an individual who formerly served as a municipal corporator in Lonavala town, drawing considerable public attention to the incident. Autopsy Findings and Witnesses Shatter the Façade The course of the inquiry shifted dramatically once forensic experts conducted a post-mortem examination. The nature of the physical trauma, bullet trajectory, and wound patterns raised immediate alarms for the investigative unit. Sensing foul play, the Pune Rural crime branch joined forces with municipal detectives to re-examine the incident. Extensive interviews with hotel staff, waiters, and eyewitnesses stationed nearby contradicted the cleaning theory, cementing police deductions that this was an intentional assault rather than a tragic mishap. Simmering Disagreements Over Assets and Funds Subsequent interrogation and background checks revealed deep-seated hostility between the octogenarian and his grandson regarding wealth division and financial transactions. On the afternoon of October 5, fresh friction erupted over monetary dealings between Motiram and Abhay. As the verbal quarrel escalated into uncontrolled rage, the elder fetched his licensed weapon and discharged a round directly into his grandson's chest. The catastrophic injury proved fatal almost instantaneously. Five Relatives Accused of Destroying Crime Scene Evidence The scope of the criminal case has expanded beyond the octogenarian shooter to include five additional members of the Marathe household. Law enforcement agencies booked these relatives on charges of tampering with critical evidence, fabricating an accidental discharge narrative, and attempting to shield the accused from prosecution. Investigators established that concerted efforts were made inside the premises to manipulate the scene before official responders arrived. Decades-Old Hunting Arm Used in the Slaying Details released by Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that Motiram Marathe legally owned two hunting weapons. Driven by a passion for game hunting decades ago, he had procured a 12-bore weapon in 1970 and acquired a second licensed piece in 1980. Ballistic confirmation identified one of these antique firearms as the murder weapon deployed during the fatal altercation on October 5. Officers have impounded the arms and continue documentation for trial proceedings. What this means for you This case highlights the catastrophic criminal repercussions of intra-family wealth conflicts and the stringent scrutiny facing civilian firearm owners. • Across India: Resorting to physical violence during inheritance or monetary disputes leads to immediate charges of homicide and criminal conspiracy regardless of the offender's age. It also reinforces that police departments scrutinize accidental shooting assertions with forensic precision, rendering cover-up attempts futile. • In Pune and Lonavala: Commercial establishments and rural landowners operating in the district face stricter monitoring regarding the custody and storage of licensed weapons. Relatives attempting to fabricate crime scenes or mislead local precinct officers now face immediate booking as co-accused. • For Firearm License Holders: Possessing civilian arms entails strict accountability, where any misuse in personal arguments results in arms cancellation and severe prosecution. Owners must maintain secure storage protocols to prevent volatile altercations from turning lethal. • For General Readers: Complex property demarcations and business transactions must be settled through structured legal mediation or registered civil suits. Allowing financial hostility to simmer within households risks irreversible loss of life and collective imprisonment for relatives. Why this happened This fatal shooting stemmed from unresolved financial rancor, an abrupt verbal clash, and the immediate proximity of lethal hunting weapons. • Direct Trigger: An intense confrontation erupted on October 5 regarding financial accounts between Motiram Marathe and his grandson Abhay, leading the octogenarian to fire his rifle in an outburst of anger. • Pre-existing Hostility: An ongoing feud over ancestral assets and business holdings had strained relations between the patriarch and the younger generation for an extended duration. • Firearm Accessibility: The grandfather owned two 12-bore licensed rifles obtained in 1970 and 1980 for hunting, which remained accessible on the property and were readily deployed during the spat. • Fabrication of Accident: Following the fatal chest injury, household members concocted an accidental cleaning narrative, which collapsed under thorough forensic post-mortem analysis and police questioning. Questions & Answers 1. On what date did this shooting take place? The incident occurred on October 5 on the grounds of Hotel Motiram in Bhushi village, Lonavala. 2. Who are the victim and the primary accused in this case? The victim is 33-year-old Abhay Manik Marathe, and the accused is his 83-year-old grandfather, Motiram Marathe. 3. What initial explanation did the family offer to the authorities? Relatives claimed that the weapon accidentally discharged while being cleaned, causing fatal injuries. 4. What kind of firearm was utilized in the commission of the crime? A licensed 12-bore hunting rifle belonging to Motiram Marathe, purchased decades earlier, was used in the shooting. 5. Why have five other family members been charged by the police? They face charges for tampering with crime scene evidence and trying to shield the primary shooter from prosecution. 6. What core motive did the police investigation establish? The investigation determined that long-standing property disputes and arguments over financial transactions led to the murder. https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/lonavala-men-parivarika-snpatti-vivada-khuni-sngharsha-men-badala-bujurga-ne-laisensi-hathiyara-se-li-pote-ki-jana-44076 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.