A LONG-STANDING family property dispute turned fatal in Bhopal’s Gautam Nagar on Sunday night when 25-yearold Sachin Panthi was stabbed to death by his cousin, Rakesh Panthi. The suspect ambushed the victim near the Ganesh temple in Atal Ayub Nagar, inflicting multiple stab wounds before fleeing. Law enforcement authorities have deployed three special teams to apprehend the absconding suspect. TI Mahendra Singh Thakur stated that the victim worked as a retail salesman in Chowk Bazar to support his family. Panthi was one of 6 siblings, and relatives described him as a deeply responsible individual with no prior criminal involvement. Police confirmed he was targeted solely due to escalating family animosity. Suspect issued repeated death threats over feud:The victim’s brother Chhotu disclosed that the suspect routinely issued death threats during arguments. Relatives alleged that the suspect’s family frequently abused female household members, responding aggressively whenever challenged. This persistent friction caused ongoing distress among family members residing nearby. Police stated the conflict originated from a property transaction two decades ago, when the grandmother gifted a house to the aunt, who later sold it.

 

Tensions escalated two months ago when Panthi’s family repurchased the house. The suspect disrupted the housewarming ceremony twenty days prior and continued confronting family members publicly. Suspect made hostile phone calls before assault: Family members informed investigators that the suspect made repeated phone calls demanding an immediate meeting before the attack. When the family refused, he threatened to eliminate anyone who crossed his path. Investigators are analysing call records to document the timeline of threats leading to the murder. The fatal assault occurred late Sunday evening as Panthi walked near his residence. The suspect ambushed him, inflicting four deep stab wounds across his abdomen, chest, and back. Local residents rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where attending doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Forensic teams collected evidence before sending the body for post-mortem. Preliminary verification revealed the suspect previously served a prison sentence in a separate homicide case. Police are analysing call records and conducting raids across potential hideouts, with station in-charge Mahendra Singh Thakur confirming active efforts to apprehend the suspect.