A 17-year-old boy was surrounded on a street and hacked to death with sharp weapons on Monday night in the Katraj locality on the outskirts of Pune, triggering shock across the neighbourhood. The victim, identified as Ganesh Ravindra Malve, a resident of Katraj village, had stepped out with a friend to get a mobile phone repaired when he was attacked.
A Three-Month-Old Feud Behind the Attack
According to police, the complainant, Ganesh Ramdas Chavan, is a close friend of the deceased. He told investigators that around three months earlier, an argument had broken out between the sister of accused Akash Gaikwad and the victim. Angered by the dispute, Akash is said to have threatened to kill Ganesh at the time, a threat that, according to the complaint, laid the ground for Monday's attack.
Chased Down and Attacked in the Middle of the Road
On the night of the incident, Ganesh and his friend had gone to the Katraj Katta area to collect a mobile phone. Seven men riding two motorcycles surrounded them there. Sensing danger, Ganesh tried to run, but the attackers chased him down and caught him. Per the complaint, they struck him repeatedly on the head, face and hands with a sickle and iron weapons. Even after he collapsed on the road covered in blood, the assailants kept attacking him. He was rushed to Bharati Hospital in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. News of the killing quickly spread fear through the Katraj area.
Suspects Marched Through the Rain, Tied to a Vehicle
Acting swiftly, Bharati Vidyapeeth police detained four suspects soon after the attack. Three of them were tied to a police vehicle and paraded through the locality in heavy rain. Crowds gathered along the road to watch as the parade passed. The victim's relatives broke down in tears at the scene and repeatedly demanded that the accused be shown to everyone so the whole neighbourhood could identify them.
All Seven Accused Are Minors, Murder Case Registered
A murder case has been registered against seven people at the Bharati Vidyapeeth police station. Police said all seven accused are minors and that they carried out the attack with sharp weapons purely because of the old rivalry. Assistant Police Inspector Ganesh Mohite is leading the investigation. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. The police say the probe is ongoing.
A Similar Parade Followed a Killing in Nagpur Days Earlier
The incident comes just days after police in Nagpur paraded men accused of robbing and taking the life of an auto-rickshaw driver. Such public parades appear to be part of an effort by police to instil fear among offenders while reassuring residents about their safety.
