Two dead, including Sena councillor, in Deulgaon Raja group clash; 20 held, cross-cases filed
A dispute over seating at a qawwali programme in Buldhana district turned violent on Monday night, leaving two dead and seven injured.
Two men died after a violent clash between two groups in Deulgaon Raja town of Buldhana district on Monday night, October 5. The trouble broke out at about 7.30 pm near the Bholeshah dargah in Pratapnagar and left the town tense for some time. Police have registered two cross-cases and have so far arrested 20 people.
One of the dead is Sheikh Anwar alias Anu Sheikh Ali, 42, a resident of Hakim Colony, who was a councillor belonging to the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). The other is Asif alias Arif Haroon Pathan, 35, of Deulgaon Raja, who is described as linked to the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction). Both were gravely hurt in the violence and are reported to have died during treatment at Jalna.
The quarrel is said to have begun over seating at a qawwali programme and then grew into a fight between the two sides. Accounts of the weapons differ slightly. One account speaks of sticks, batons and swords. The complaints name knives, wooden sticks, an axe and an iron rod. Seven injured people are being treated. Cases have been registered against 36 to 40 people from both groups, and separate teams have been sent out to trace those still absconding.
The first complaint was lodged by Sheikh Atik Sheikh Umar, 33, of Pratapnagar. He named Sheikh Aqib Sheikh Pashu and others as the accused. He alleges that they gathered unlawfully on the road, armed with knives, wooden sticks and axes, and attacked his relatives inside and outside their home after planning it in advance. According to the complaint, Asif Pathan was struck with an axe and other sharp weapons and stabbed with a knife, and he died of his injuries. Other relatives were also badly hurt and threatened with death. This case is registered as Crime No. 450/2026 at Deulgaon Raja police station under Sections 103(2), 109, 333, 61(2), 189(4), 189(5), 190, 191(1), 191(3), 118(1), 115(2), 352, 351(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The other side's complaint was filed by Sheikh Mujahid Sheikh Ali, 46, of Hakim Colony. He says Shahrukh Khan Ahmed Khan and others conspired and attacked him and his brother on the same road with the intention of killing them. His brother Anwar was beaten with an iron rod, knives and sticks and succumbed to his injuries. The complainant also alleges that he and the witnesses were abused, beaten and threatened with death. This is Crime No. 451/2026, booked under Sections 103(2), 61(2), 118(1), 189(2), 189(4), 189(5), 190, 191(1), 191(3), 115(2), 352, 351(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Given how serious and sensitive the incident was, Buldhana Superintendent of Police Nilesh Tambe went to the spot and reviewed the situation. He told the officers concerned to trace and arrest the accused without delay and to keep law and order intact in the town. Teams from Deulgaon Raja police station and the Local Crime Branch, Buldhana, were formed for the search, and between them they have taken 20 accused into custody across the two cases.
Security has been tightened across the town. A riot control squad and a quick response team (QRT) have been placed in sensitive areas alongside local police, working under the superintendent's supervision. The last rites of both Asif Pathan and Anwar Sheikh were held under heavy police cover, and police kept a close watch on vulnerable pockets to head off any untoward incident. Police say the situation is completely under control.
Police Inspector Brahma Giri and Assistant Police Inspector Savita Kuware are investigating both cases. Additional Superintendents of Police Amol Gaikwad and Piyush Jagtap and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Santosh Khade are also overseeing further action along with the Deulgaon Raja police team.
The district police have urged residents to stay calm. People have been asked not to believe rumours and not to forward social media messages that could hurt sentiments or spread falsehoods. Anyone with suspicious information, or any knowledge of the incident, has been asked to inform the nearest police station immediately.
