With election fever running high, Mira Bhayandar area witnessed the murder of a local political leader in the wee hours of Tuesday.
Rahul Hanchate, 32, a resident of Ram Suyog Building near Talao Road in Bhayandar east, and acting vibhag pramukh of MNS, was brutally murdered by a group of seven youth in front of his mother and brother. Navghar police, who have detained two suspects so far, said that the murder was the result of an old rivalry.
According to Rajesh Hanchate, 28, brother of the deceased, seven youth from their locality attacked Rahul, with swords and choppers. Rahul was returning home from a Navratri pandal with Rajesh and his mother Ambika, 56.
"When we tried to save Rahul, they attacked us too. Rahul was bleeding profusely with deep wounds all over his body and head. He died on the spot in front of us. Nobody came forward to help us," Rajesh alleged.
Sanjay Mohite, SPI of Navghar PS said, "Rahul was a local leader of the MNS. He had a criminal record and was involved in the murder of one Dilip Babar. Earlier, he had also bashed up Vinod Pujari, 21, who got paralysed due to the injuries. In retaliation, Rahul was killed by a rival group. We have identified Atul Khamkar, Praful Khamkar, Bablu Nandkar, Banti Nandkar, Vivek Pujari, Manoj and Sanjay as suspects. Vinod and Atul have been detained for questioning."
Rajesh also suffered injuries and has been admitted to Bhagwati hospital in Borivli.
