Jalgaon: Bench dispute ends in fatal car ramming, father dead, son critical
A dispute over moving a public bench in Jalgaon district turned deadly after a car rammed a bike, killing a farmer and critically injuring his son.
A minor dispute over moving a public bench to another spot in Jamner taluka of Jalgaon district escalated into an attempt to run people down with a car. A farmer was killed and his son was critically injured in the incident, which police said occurred around Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place in Kumbhari Budruk village. A public bench placed in front of a house was to be moved, leading to an argument between farmer Gyaneshwar More and a few other people. As the matter escalated, people nearby tried to intervene and resolve the dispute. But things went further, and Gyaneshwar More and his son Yash More set out on a motorcycle to the police station to file a complaint.
It is alleged that during this, Balu Uttam Joshi and two others, residents of Kumbhari, began chasing the father and son on their motorcycle in a car bearing registration number MH 19 EA 1769. According to police, the accused rammed the car into the motorcycle near Hivarkheda phata on the Jalgaon-Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar national highway.
Gyaneshwar, who was riding pillion, was severely injured in the collision. He was rushed to the rural hospital, where doctors declared him dead after examination. His son Yash was also critically injured. After first aid, he was sent to Jalgaon for further treatment. On being informed of the incident, Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Patre reached the spot with his team. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bapu Roham also gave necessary instructions for the investigation.
Tension prevailed in the area for some time after the incident, as the deceased's family members insisted they would not accept the body without the accused being arrested. Police increased deployment in the area to maintain law and order. Police have taken Balu Uttam Joshi into custody, though the process of registering the case was still underway late into the night.
The case is being further investigated by Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Patre of Pahur police station. Gyaneshwar More is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. His death, in a family that made its living from farming, has cast a pall of mourning over Kumbhari Budruk village.
