Sanitation worker shot dead during boar hunt in Mira-Bhayandar forest; doctor among six arrested

A shocking incident has come to light from the forest of Chena village in the Mira-Bhayandar area on the Mumbai border. According to the information available, a sanitation worker of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation died of a gunshot during an alleged hunt for a wild boar. Two others were injured.

The deceased has been identified as Vijay Sukhru Sapte, 60. He lived in the Velkari Pada area of Chena village and worked as a sanitation worker with the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation. The matter has become more serious because it is alleged that his last rites were performed without informing the police and without a post-mortem.

According to preliminary information, six people had gone into the Chena forest to hunt a wild boar. After reaching the forest, they split into two groups of three and moved in different directions. At night the two groups came close to each other. One group saw the light of a torch held by someone in the other. It is said that in the dark the light was mistaken for the eyes of an animal and a shot was fired. The same bullet hit Vijay Sapte and he died.

Kalpesh Dhagla and Kanal Shelar are said to have been injured in the incident. Both are reported to have been admitted to Ashish Hospital in Kashimira. The circumstances of the firing, the nature of the injuries and the weapon used will become clear only from the official police investigation.

The most serious aspect of the case is what happened after the death. Questions are being raised over whether the police were informed of Vijay Sapte's death immediately, how the death was officially recorded, and in what circumstances the decision to cremate without a post-mortem was taken. As no post-mortem was done, investigating agencies will have to examine the available evidence closely to establish the exact medical cause of death. No final conclusion can yet be drawn on whether information was deliberately withheld from the police.

There are also serious questions about the death certificate. It is claimed that the certificate gives heart attack as the cause of death. It has also emerged that the doctor concerned issued the certificate over a video call without examining the body in person. The question being raised is on what basis heart attack was recorded as the cause when the death followed a gunshot. Whether there was any irregularity will be decided only after the investigation.

Six people in all, including Dr Rajesh Palande, have reportedly been arrested in the case. Some names, including Mahesh Gaikar, Katod, Bistur and Labhad, are also said to be linked to the case. However, the full names of all the accused, the role of each and the nature of the offences registered against them are yet to be officially stated by the police. An arrest does not mean the allegations have been proved. The role of each person will become clear only from the evidence, statements and medical documents gathered in the investigation.

Dr Palande, who has been arrested, is said to be active in the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena. It is said that a few months ago he was made president of a doctors' association and that the appointment certificate was handed over by Pratap Sarnaik. Discussion of his political and social connections has since begun. But political connections and his alleged role in this case are separate matters, and no conclusion about involvement in a crime can be drawn from political ties alone.

Many questions remain unanswered: whether the weapon used in the hunt had a valid licence, who fired the shot, what the people present saw, and what was done afterwards to inform the police. The treatment given to the injured after they were admitted to hospital, how the death was recorded, and who decided against a post-mortem and in what circumstances also need to be examined. Only after the full investigation will it be clear whether the shooting was an accident or had another cause. For now, the whole Mira-Bhayandar area is watching the probe.