Barely two weeks after surviving a firing incident, history-sheeter and alleged drug-peddler Saurabh Laxmikant Ghate (26) was once again targeted in a life-threatening attack in Mahal on Sunday night. This time, he was allegedly stabbed by members of a rival gang, seeking revenge for the murder of one of their associates. The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing gang rivalry and turf wars that continue to plague parts of Central Nagpur. According to police, Saurabh, a resident of Kothi Road in Mahal, was sitting outside his house around 2 am with friends Rohan Maskar, Harshad Sheikh and Harshal Naik when a group of armed men arrived at the spot. The attackers have been identified as Yogesh alias Kalya Gupta (28), Prathamesh alias Daddu Motya Dhapade (20), another accused named Saurabh and one unidentified accomplice.

 

As soon as the assailants approached with weapons, Saurabh’s friends reportedly fled into nearby lanes. The attackers then surrounded Saurabh and allegedly stabbed him in the abdomen before escaping from the area. Saurabh was rushed to a private hospital by his friends and is currently undergoing treatment. Police have registered a case of attempt to murder and launched a search for the accused. The police officials believe that, the attack is linked to an old gang rivalry dating back several years.

 

In May 2021, Saurabh, along with his brother Pravin Ghate and another associate, was accused of murdering Shahnawaz alias Shanu Khan near Gandhi Gate in Johripura. Shanu was known to be a close friend of Yogesh Gupta, who, police suspect, had been waiting for an opportunity to avenge the killing. The attack comes just weeks after another attempt on Saurabh’s life. On May 17, alleged gangsters Prajwal alias Ganga Kakade, Ravi Mahto and their associates reportedly opened fire on him over a long-running feud and a battle for supremacy in the area. 

 

 

Police sources say, Saurabh and his elder brother Pravin Ghate had made several enemies over the years, particularly, within the city’s criminal and drug-trafficking circles. Rivalries over the illegal drug trade have often resulted in violent confrontations between gangs operating in and around Mahal. Investigators are also looking into claims that rival gangs suspect members of the Ghate group of sharing information with police, which further escalated hostilities. The recent attacks on Saurabh and his associates have once again exposed the intensity of gang war in Mahal. With multiple groups engaged in ongoing rivalries, police are now under pressure to prevent further violence and bring those responsible to justice.