Nagpur: A 25-year-old history-sheeter was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of rivals in a narrow alley in Civil Lines in the early hours of Monday, with investigators suspecting that a combination of old enmity, extortion demands and a turf war led to the brutal killing.The deceased, Akash alias Dumbak Neware, a resident of Gond Toli Khadan near Ravi Nagar under Ambazari police station limits, was found lying in a pool of blood behind Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, near Satpura Lawn. Police said Neware had sustained multiple stab wounds on chest, abdomen, neck, back and right hand, indicating a sustained attack with a sharp-edged weapon.A local resident spotted the body around 2am and alerted the police control room. Neware’s scooter, parked nearby, was found at the scene.Neware himself had a long criminal record, including a murder case, besides offences related to kidnapping, theft, burglary, assault and violations of the Arms Act. He had earlier been externed and had returned only recently after the externment period ended. According to police, he had since started a pan stall near Ravi Nagar bus stop and was planning a court marriage with his girlfriend.In his complaint, Neware’s younger brother, Pankaj, an electrician, stated that Akash returned home around 8pm on Sunday, had dinner and left again at about 10pm. The family was later informed by his girlfriend that he had been assaulted. By the time relatives reached Civil Lines, police had already arrived at the scene.Pankaj alleged that Piyush alias Pedha Baghel, who lives next door in Telangkhedi, Vishal alias Babbu Kalya Chachane and Ranjit Mahato had been pressuring Akash to pay “hafta” to continue operating his pan stall. Pankaj claimed the accused, all known criminals with serious cases against them and some only recently released from jail, conspired to eliminate him in order to maintain their dominance in the locality.Investigators said preliminary inquiries revealed that Neware and some of the accused had spent time together at a beer bar in Sitabuldi on Sunday night. After consuming liquor, they allegedly lured him to the deserted lane in Civil Lines in wee hours of Monday, where he was repeatedly stabbed with a knife.Following the murder, teams from Ambazari police and Crime Branch launched coordinated operations and detained Vishal Chachane, Piyush Baghel, Harsh alias Bhunji, Ranjit Mahato, Ankush Maraskolhe and Sachin Khillare alias Chhota Dumbak. Two of the suspects reportedly surrendered at police stations, while others were nabbed during raids.Police are also probing whether the murder was linked to a recent burglary case in which some of the accused had been jailed and suspected Neware of tipping off the police. Another angle under investigation is a July assault on Piyush Baghel near Traffic Park that had further escalated tensions between the rival groups.A murder case has been registered at Sitabuldi police station. Police are analysing CCTV footage and call records while efforts continue to recover the murder weapon and ascertain the role of each accused. The assailants have reportedly claimed that Neware was also plotting to kill them, a claim investigators are verifying.
