A road rage ended in the murder of a 20-year-old youth in Dharampeth on Sunday midnight. Ambazari Police have detained two minors in connection with the case. The deceased has been identified as Tushar Sudhir Chute (20), a resident of Smruti Nagar in Dighori. Tushar was a second year student of Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology (TGPCET). According to police, the incident took place around 2 am on Monday. Tushar and two of his friends had gone out for a late-night stroll in the Dharampeth area. At the same time, one of the accused Pankaj (name changed), was also out with a friend. Both groups had reportedly stopped at a cafe near Alankar Square before heading towards Dharampeth for ice gola. Police said, the trouble began on Gokulpeth Main Road when Pankaj allegedly parked his vehicle and it brushed Tushar’s feet.

 

A heated exchange followed and both groups got into an argument. Police said, Tushar was under the influence of alcohol at the time. “Initially, the accused tried to leave the spot and avoid further confrontation, but the deceased and his friends followed them,” said police. As the accused were heading from Laxmibhuvan Square towards Law College Square, Tushar and his friends intercepted them near the Slip Company area. Police said, a physical fight broke out, during which Tushar allegedly slapped the accused repeatedly. “In the middle of the scuffle, the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed Tushar in the back. The injury turned fatal,” the cop said. After being stabbed, Tushar tried to flee, but collapsed near Coffee House Chowk.

 

A patrolling police team rushed him to Mayo Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The accused fled the scene immediately after the attack. Since there were no eyewitnesses, police relied heavily on CCTV footage from the area. During the investigation, officers recovered a mobile phone from the spot, which helped them identify one of the accused. Police later detained both minors. Officials said, neither of them had any previous criminal record. During questioning, the accused reportedly told police that he had ordered the knife online for personal safety as he often went out late at night. “We are investigating all angles and questioning both detainees continuously,” said Sr PI Vinod Godbole of Ambazari Police Station.