Man stabbed to death in Nagpur's Devnagar after objecting to firecrackers near his car; four accused

A young man was stabbed to death in Nagpur's Devnagar area at around 12.30 am on the night of Lakshmi Puja. The deceased has been identified as Aman alias Bobby Sunil Sapate (27), a resident of Jaybhole Society, Pipla Phata. Aman worked as a cashier at a Haldiram's store.

It is learnt that Prasad Raut, a resident of Devnagar, had his birthday on Sunday and had called his friends to Devnagar to cut a cake. After celebrating Diwali at home, Aman reached the gathering with his friend Akshay Naukarkar and a few others. The accused, Akshay Madavi, had also come there with his associates. Between 30 and 40 youths gathered at the spot.

Aman had parked his car at the intersection. Meanwhile, an associate of Akshay began bursting firecrackers in front of the car. Fearing the vehicle would catch fire, Aman reprimanded him. Akshay and his associates were reportedly drunk. They began quarrelling with Aman and the argument turned into a physical fight.

A youth named Bhushan Khursunge went to rescue Aman on seeing the fight, but the accused manhandled him as well. It is alleged that when Akshay saw Aman's side getting the better of the fight, he pulled out a knife. While people kept trying to intervene, Akshay stabbed Aman in the abdomen and Aman collapsed on the spot. Some others also suffered minor injuries.

Fearing arrest, Akshay and his associates fled. The police were informed. Aman was rushed to a medical hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on examination.

The police registered a murder case against the accused and began a search for them. The names that have emerged are Akshay Madavi (28), a resident of Neelkamal Apartment, Old Futala; Sujal alias Wax Shedam; Aditya alias Adi Kalaskar; and Sameer Kawle, a resident of Gittikhadan. Akshay is a history-sheeter with several serious cases, including murder, registered against him. Sujal and Sameer also have earlier criminal records. The Bajajnagar police are investigating.

On the same night, a major fire had broken out at a TVS two-wheeler showroom in the Savarkarnagar area under Bajajnagar police station limits. Police personnel were deployed there, given the fear of the fire spreading in the residential area and of casualties. Police were also responsible for clearing the road so fire engines could reach the spot. They were engaged in this when the incident took place at Devnagar Chowk at midnight.

Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil took serious note of the killing of a young man at the hands of a known criminal. He immediately sent Bajajnagar station house officer Chetan Singh Chauhan to police headquarters. The charge of the police station has for now been given to second PI Shinde.