Man, 27, stabbed to death at Nagpur's Devnagar Chowk over firecrackers; four held

A row over firecrackers in Nagpur's Devnagar Chowk, on the night after Lakshmi Puja, ended in the death of a 27-year-old man. Police have arrested four people in connection with the killing.

The victim was Aman alias Bobby Sunil Sapate, a resident of Jaybhole Society in Pimpla Phata. The attack happened at around 12.30 am, on the night between Sunday and Monday, November 9, within the limits of Bajaj Nagar police station.

Prasad Raut of Devnagar was celebrating his birthday on Sunday and had invited friends to cut a cake. Aman, who had spent the evening on Diwali celebrations, headed for Devnagar with his friend Akshay Gangadhar Naukarkar, 31, and a few others. Akshay Madavi also arrived in the area with his associates, and some 30 to 40 youths had collected at the chowk.

Aman's car was at the chowk, near a juice shop. One of Madavi's associates began lighting firecrackers right in front of the vehicle. Fearing the car could catch fire, Aman asked the youth to stop and move aside. The accused, who are said to have been drunk, began to argue, and the argument turned into a scuffle.

Bhushan Khursunge tried to calm the situation, but the accused shoved him too. When some men from Aman's group stepped forward, Madavi is alleged to have pulled out a knife. While bystanders were still trying to step in, he stabbed Aman in the stomach. Aman fell, bleeding heavily. A few other people suffered minor injuries in the clash, and the attackers ran away.

Aman's friends took him to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors declared him dead.

On Naukarkar's complaint, Bajaj Nagar police registered a case of murder under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police named the accused as Akshay Madavi, 28, of Neelkamal Apartment, Juna Futala; Sujal alias Wax Shedam; Aditya alias Aadi Kalaskar; and Sameer Kawle, of Gittikhadan. All four were arrested late at night. Madavi is a history-sheeter on police records and faces several serious cases, including murder. Sujal and Sameer are also said to have criminal records. Police are continuing the investigation to establish the role each person played in the killing.

At the time of the murder, a Bajaj Nagar police team was busy at a showroom in the area, where a fire had broken out. Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil took cognisance of the killing and immediately sent the Bajaj Nagar police station head, Chetansingh Chauhan, to police headquarters.

The death of a young man over such a trivial matter has once again raised concern over street violence in Nagpur.