Nagpur: Notorious criminal Gani Wasnik murdered at Medical Square; brother-in-law, two others held

Notorious criminal Palas alias Gani Wasnik was killed because he continued to torture his first wife even after marrying a second time, according to the accused's statement. Ayush alias Chintu Dhupe, the brother of Wasnik's first wife, has told police under questioning that he carried out the killing with two associates, enraged by the abuse his sister suffered.

The sensational crime, in the very busy Medical Square area on Thursday night, has once again raised questions over law and order in the city. Ajni police arrested the main accused, Ayush Dhupe, along with Atharva Bhagat (20) and Sumedh Meshram (24) in the early hours of Friday.

According to police, Wasnik, a resident of Rambagh in the Imambada police station area, was married to Ayush's sister. Soon after the marriage he began to harass her. She had filed several complaints against him at Imambada police station, but police treated the matter as a domestic dispute and did not take strict action. Worn down by the continuing torture, she left him. Wasnik then married another woman and began living in Savner with her. Even so, he did not leave his first wife alone and kept troubling her.

On Thursday night Wasnik went to Rambagh to collect his belongings. He got into an argument with his first wife there, abused and beat her, threatened her and left.

Shortly afterwards Ayush came home. His sister and other family members told him about the beating and threats. Ayush was furious and, to avenge the mistreatment of his sister, set out to look for Wasnik with his associates Atharva Bhagat and Sumedh Meshram. The three found Wasnik drinking tea at Medical Square. The accused attacked him suddenly. After striking him with a sharp weapon, they crushed his head with a stone and a flower pot. Wasnik died on the spot.

Medical Square is one of the busiest areas of the city and a large crowd was present at the time. The sudden attack caused panic, and food cart operators and passers-by ran for safety. The murder in the middle of the road has raised serious questions about police security arrangements and the fear of the law among criminals. Ajni police began an investigation and search after the incident and arrested all three accused in the early hours of Friday.

The deceased also had a long criminal record. Twenty-two serious cases, including robbery, extortion and arson, were registered against him. In 2023 the ATS arrested him in a case of a fake passport and illegal stay. Police information also shows that several cases are registered against Atharva Bhagat, including attempt to murder, and against Sumedh Meshram, including assault.

The continuing murders in the city had already affected the police department's image. The activities of criminals in Imambada and surrounding areas remain a matter of concern. The killing in public at a crowded place like Medical Square has now raised questions over police patrolling and claims of crime control. The functioning of senior officers is also under discussion over the worsening law and order at police stations under Zone 4. City police were also largely occupied with a VIP wedding on Thursday. The Imambada police station premises has long been notorious for criminals and illegal activities, and the murder has brought it back into discussion.