Man Killed in Beed Village After Friend's Mistaken Stabbing During Mahashivaratri Procession
A tragic incident unfolded in Beed district, Maharashtra, where a 23-year-old man lost his life after being mistakenly stabbed by his friend during a Mahashivaratri palki (palanquin) procession. The event occurred on Sunday night at Rui Nalkol village in Ashti taluka, as confirmed by local police authorities.
Background of the Dispute
The clash stemmed from an earlier dispute over Instagram content, which had divided village youths into two opposing groups. According to police reports, three days prior to the incident, a disagreement erupted between Bhausaheb Khodke and Jaydeep Khilare concerning an Instagram post and its associated comments. Although the matter was initially settled within the village, underlying tensions persisted, leading to the formation of two distinct factions among the youth.
Details of the Incident
The deceased, identified as Dipak Nalkol (23), was a resident of Rui Nalkol village. He worked with a private company in Jalgaon and had returned to his hometown with his friend Nilesh Gujar (25) specifically to participate in the Mahashivaratri procession. On Sunday evening, around 9 pm, as the procession was underway, members of the rival groups allegedly confronted each other, sparking a violent scuffle.
During the altercation, Nilesh Gujar reportedly attempted to attack Balu Khodke with a knife. In the ensuing chaos, Dipak Nalkol was accidentally struck by the knife, sustaining severe injuries. Beed Superintendent of Police Navneet Kanwat stated, "As per the preliminary probe, the deceased was not the intended target. He appears to have been stabbed inadvertently while the accused was attacking another person."
Escalation and Aftermath
Following Dipak's injury, Gujar dropped the knife. However, a second accused, identified as Dashrath Masalkar, allegedly picked up the weapon and assaulted Balu Khodke and Shashikant Lombde, causing injuries to their thigh and hands. All the injured individuals were promptly transported to a hospital in Ahmednagar for medical treatment.
Tragically, Dipak Nalkol succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead by attending doctors. The condition of the two other injured persons is reported to be stable, with medical staff closely monitoring their recovery.
Legal Actions and Police Response
An FIR has been registered at the Ashti police station under BNS sections 103(1), 109, 352, 351(2), and 3(5). Superintendent Kanwat confirmed, "Both accused were arrested, and further investigation is underway." To prevent any further untoward incidents, additional police personnel have been deployed in Rui Nalkol village, ensuring heightened security and vigilance in the area.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of social media disputes escalating into real-world violence, particularly during community events like religious processions. Authorities are urging for calm and cooperation as the investigation continues to uncover all aspects of this unfortunate event.
