Nagpur: In an alarming incident raising questions over policing and public safety, a 28-year-old man died at Mayo Hospital on Sunday morning, a day after he was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon in the Ganeshpeth area of Nagpur on the night of August 15, Independence Day.

The deceased has been identified as Akshay Prakash Shette, 28, a resident of the Kotwali area. Two of his friends, who were also injured in the attack, are undergoing treatment.

According to the complaint registered with Ganeshpeth Police, Akshay’s friend Akash Keshav Patle, 28, and another friend, Ankit Jitendrasingh Chavan, 27, were searching for Akshay’s brother Mayur Prakash Shette, 33. Mayur allegedly used to assault his grandmother after consuming alcohol.

While the trio were travelling on a two-wheeler between Ashok Chowk and Shivaji Putla, near Morghade Homeopathy Clinic, a moped allegedly rammed into their vehicle from behind.

Police said that three accused — Ritesh alias Sonu Denge, Amol alias Bhurya Khursod and Arpit Ishwar Budhe — allegedly attacked Akash, Ankit and Akshay with an intention to kill them. Akash was assaulted on his hand, while Ankit sustained injuries to his hands and legs. Akshay was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon, leaving him seriously injured.

The injured men were rushed to Mayo Hospital for treatment. However, at around 9.01 am on August 16, doctors examined Akshay and declared him dead.

Following his death, Ganeshpeth Police added Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to murder, to the case. The case had initially been registered under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the BNS.

Police have launched a further investigation to ascertain the exact sequence of events and the role of all the accused. The incident, occurring on Independence Day night and resulting in a death the following morning, has raised concerns about law and order and policing in the city.