A gang war over money and dominance has ended in the murder of a 25-year-old criminal in the high-security Civil Lines area. Akash alias Dumbak Suresh Nevare, a resident of Telangkhedi, was brutally killed near Satpuda Lawn, near MLA Hostel, late Sunday night. The Sitabuldi police arrested four accused within a few hours of the murder. They have been identified as Babbu Kalya alias Vishal Shalikram Chachane (30), Ranjit Mahato (28), Piyush alias Pedha Vinod Baghel (25) and Ranjit alias Mrunal Bhola Diwan (23).

 

They are residents of Telangkhedi, Sudampuri and Ram Nagar areas. Police said the murder was the result of an old rivalry between Akash and Vishal. The two were once friends. However, their relations turned bitter about two years ago. The dispute later developed into a fight for control and influence in the locality. Akash had several criminal cases against him. These included murder, assault, theft, kidnapping and housebreaking. He had been running a paan stall named ‘MH-40’ near Ravi Nagar bus stand. After Vishal was released from jail, he started demanding extortion money from Akash to allow him to run the stall. This further widened the rift between the two. The rivalry had also recently turned violent. According to police, Akash and his associates had assaulted Piyush Baghel near Traffic Park in July. Piyush reportedly suspected that Akash had informed the police about his activities. Vishal and Piyush were arrested about 15 days ago in connection with a theft at a Mother Dairy outlet in the Ambazari area.

 

They were later released from jail. Police suspect that the accused then planned to eliminate Akash. On Sunday night, Akash had closed his paan stall and returned home. The accused called him to a lane between Deshpande Hall and Satpuda Lawn around 11 pm. They first consumed alcohol together. Once Akash became heavily intoxicated, the accused surrounded him and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. Police said he suffered around 24 wounds. He died at the spot. The accused feared that Akash might call his friends for help. They therefore attacked him together and fled after the assault. Police reached the spot after receiving information about the attack. The four accused were taken into custody within a few hours. A case has been registered on the complaint of Akash’s brother, Pankaj Nevare. The Sitabuldi police and Crime Branch are investigating the gang rivalry, extortion angle and the role of each accused.