Nagpur: A long-running rivalry between two groups of alleged criminals turned deadly in Nagpur on Saturday afternoon when a history-sheeter was allegedly lured to Manewada Ghat on the pretext of resolving a dispute and brutally murdered. Another man accompanying him sustained serious injuries in the attack, triggering panic at the busy cremation ground.
The deceased has been identified as Pawan Suryavanshi, while the injured man is Aman Kale.
According to preliminary police information, the rivalry reportedly began following an altercation between members of the two groups at a panipuri stall in the Ajni area. A complaint was subsequently lodged with Ajni Police, but the dispute allegedly remained unresolved, leading to further escalation between the rival groups.
Police suspect that Aman Chaurasia, Vedant Kapate, Raunak Rao and Yash Saude, along with their associates, allegedly hatched a conspiracy to attack Suryavanshi.
Investigators said one of the accused allegedly contacted Suryavanshi and called him to Manewada Ghat on the pretext of settling their differences. Believing that the meeting was intended to resolve the dispute, Suryavanshi reportedly reached the location between 3.30 pm and 4 pm, accompanied by Aman Ajay Kale and Dinesh Solanki, after leaving a nearby religious place.
Police suspect that once Suryavanshi arrived, the accused allegedly summoned several associates to the spot while keeping him engaged in conversation under the guise of negotiations.
Suryavanshi reportedly became suspicious after noticing several men gathering around him and attempted to leave. The attackers allegedly then threw a cloth around his neck from behind, dragged him to the ground and repeatedly assaulted him with sharp weapons.
Aman Kale, who allegedly tried to intervene and rescue Suryavanshi, was also attacked and seriously injured. The other companions reportedly fled the spot fearing for their lives.
Murder during funeral creates panic at Manewada Ghat
The incident allegedly unfolded while funeral rites were being conducted at Manewada Ghat. A large number of people were reportedly present for the last rites, with the funeral pyre still burning when the attackers allegedly waited for their intended targets.
The alleged murder in the middle of the cremation ground caused panic among mourners and other people present at the spot. Police suspect that the killing was linked to an ongoing rivalry between two groups with criminal backgrounds.
Senior police officers inspect crime scene
Following the murder, senior Nagpur Police officials rushed to the spot to supervise the investigation. Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajendra Dabhade, Deputy Commissioners of Police Deepak Agrawal and Rashmita Rao, along with other senior officers, inspected the scene.
Senior officials later visited Hudkeshwar Police Station to review the investigation and gather information about the suspected accused.
Police have launched a manhunt to trace the suspects named in the preliminary investigation. No arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report. Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events, identify all those involved and ascertain the motive behind the killing.