Nagpur: A rivalry linked to a burglary investigation allegedly culminated in a fatal attack on a 28-year-old history-sheeter and former MCOCA accused, Akshay Wanjari, in Nandanvan earlier this week. Wanjari succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Wednesday, prompting police to file a case of murder.According to police, Wanjari, a resident of Old Bagadganj with 11 criminal cases against him, had recently tipped off Nandanvan police about a burglary allegedly involving the brother of accused Suraj Lanjewar.Acting on the information, police arrested Akash Lanjewar on August 21 and recovered stolen gold ornaments worth around Rs3 lakh. Investigators believe the recovery deepened animosity between the two groups and triggered the subsequent attack.On the evening of August 25, Wanjari was at a bar in the Nandanvan area with Ashwin Rahangdale (32) when he received a call from his wife asking him to return home. As he stepped out of the bar, members of the Lanjewar and Akhre families allegedly confronted him.Police said Suraj Lanjewar (30), his mother Vandana Lanjewar, Prashant Akhre (26), Hardik Palandurkar (24) and Pradeep Akhre (48), first threw chilli powder into Wanjari’s eyes and assaulted him with a baton.Wanjari somehow managed to escape the attack and went inside the bar. When he stepped out after some time with Rahangdale, Wanjari was allegedly attacked again. The assailants reportedly struck him with sharp weapons, including a sword and a knife, inflicting serious injuries. When Rahangdale intervened, the attackers fled the spot. Wanjari was initially admitted to a private hospital before being shifted to AIIMS, where he died during treatment.Following Rahangdale’s complaint, Nandanvan police registered a case. So far, police have arrested Suraj Lanjewar, Vandana Lanjewar, Prashant Akhre and Hardik Palandurkar. A search is on for the remaining accused.Police described the attack as a direct fallout of Wanjari providing information that led to the arrest of Akash Lanjewar and the recovery of the stolen gold. Police sources said Suraj Lanjewar and Pradeep Akhre have several serious offences registered against them, and action under MCOCA is being considered.
