Man, 27, stabbed to death in Nagpur's Devnagar Chowk after row over firecrackers

A minor dispute over Diwali firecrackers in Nagpur's Devnagar Chowk claimed a young man's life. Around 12.30 am on Monday, November 9, a group of youths allegedly stabbed Aman alias Bobby Sunil Sapate, 27, in the stomach. The incident took place in the Bajaj Nagar police station area.

According to a complaint lodged with the police, Aman was travelling by car with his friend Akshay Gangadhar Naukarkar, 31, a resident of Devnagar. The two were on their way to a birthday celebration of their friend Prasad Raut.

When the car reached a juice shop at Devnagar Chowk, some youths were bursting firecrackers right in front of the vehicle. The occupants of the car reportedly asked the youths to move aside, as the firecrackers were being set off in their path. It is alleged that an argument began over this and soon turned into a fight.

According to the police, the accused, Akshay Madavi, along with two or three associates, picked a fight with Aman. It is alleged that during the scuffle one of the attackers pulled out a knife and plunged it into Aman's stomach, causing a deep wound. Aman collapsed on the spot and the attackers fled.

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

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

Police are searching for the main accused, Akshay Madavi, and his unidentified associates. The investigation is continuing to identify everyone involved and establish the role of each in the killing.

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