Bombay High Court Lawyer Fatally Stabbed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In a shocking incident, a 49-year-old Bombay High Court lawyer, Mithun Bhaskar, was stabbed to death late on Wednesday night on the Beed Bypass Road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The police swiftly responded, arresting three individuals by Thursday in connection with the brutal murder.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrests
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar stated that the case was detected within hours of the incident coming to light. "Our teams detected the case within hours of the incident coming to light. Now, we are working to ascertain the exact role of each accused," he said. The MIDC Cidco police identified the prime accused as Sadiq/Sheeba Bashir Ansari, a 40-year-old transgender person who identifies as a woman, along with accomplices Rahul Nivdunge (18) and Nanaksingh Junni (20). All three were taken into custody.
Murder Case Registered Based on Complaint
A murder case was registered against the trio based on a complaint lodged by the deceased lawyer's sister, who is a police officer. Senior Inspector Somnath Jadhav of the MIDC Cidco police revealed that during interrogation, Ansari confessed to the crime. According to the confession, Bhaskar allegedly approached Ansari on the highway, and both went into nearby bushes, approximately 100 meters from the road.
Heated Argument Over Monetary Dispute Turns Deadly
A heated argument reportedly broke out between them over a monetary dispute. This escalated into a violent attack, with the accused, aided by the two accomplices, assaulting the lawyer. Crime Branch Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar provided details on the fatal injury, stating that Bhaskar was stabbed in the thigh during the scuffle. "We suspect that the injury may have ruptured the femoral artery, leading to severe blood loss and his eventual death," he explained.
Victim's Struggle and Discovery
Spot panchnama findings revealed a tragic detail: despite being grievously injured, Bhaskar managed to walk over 100 meters back towards the highway before collapsing near his moped. A passerby noticed the injured man lying along the roadside near Gandheli and alerted emergency services by dialing 112. Initially, the Chikalthana police reached the scene, but it was later confirmed that the location fell under the jurisdiction of the city police. The MIDC Cidco police team, led by Inspector Jadhav, subsequently took over the investigation.
Broader Criminal Pattern Suspected
During the probe, the police uncovered that the accused allegedly operated along the highway at night, targeting men, particularly truck drivers from other states. Investigators suspect that, along with offering services, the accused and accomplices would rob their victims. This has raised concerns about a potential pattern of similar crimes.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and determine whether the accused were involved in similar crimes in the past. The police are meticulously piecing together evidence to ensure justice is served in this high-profile case. The community remains on edge as authorities work to uncover all facets of this tragic incident.
