Civil Lines murder
Nagpur: A 25-year-old history-sheeter was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of rivals in a narrow alley in Civil Lines in the early hours of Monday, with investigators suspecting that a combination of old enmity, extortion demands and a turf war led to the brutal killing. Following the murder, teams from Ambazari police and Crime Branch launched coordinated operations and detained Vishal Chachane, Piyush Baghel, Harsh alias Bhunji, Ranjit Mahato, Ankush Maraskolhe and Sachin Khillare alias Chhota Dumbak.
Police said Neware had sustained multiple stab wounds on chest, abdomen, neck, back and right hand, indicating a sustained attack with a sharp-edged weapon. He had since started a pan stall near Ravi Nagar bus stop and was planning a court marriage with his girlfriend, according to police. The deceased, Akash alias Dumbak Neware, a resident of Gond Toli Khadan near Ravi Nagar under Ambazari police station limits, was found lying in a pool of blood behind Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, near Satpura Lawn. A local resident spotted the body around 2am and alerted the police control room. Neware’s scooter, parked nearby, was found at the scene. Neware himself had a long criminal record, including a murder case, besides offences related to kidnapping, theft, burglary, assault and violations of the Arms Act. The family was later informed by his girlfriend that he had been assaulted. By the time relatives reached Civil Lines, police had already arrived at the scene. Two of the suspects reportedly surrendered at police stations, while others were nabbed during raids.
He had earlier been externed and had returned only recently after the externment period ended. In his complaint, Neware’s younger brother, Pankaj, an electrician, stated that Akash returned home around 8pm on Sunday, had dinner and left again at about 10pm.
Police are also probing whether the murder was linked to a recent burglary case in which some of the accused had been jailed and suspected Neware of tipping off the police. Another angle under investigation is a July assault on Piyush Baghel near Traffic Park that had further escalated tensions between the rival groups.