A 34-year-old man was brutally murdered in Pune on Monday evening, with police stating the motive was his interfaith relationship with a 30-year-old woman. The authorities have launched a major search operation for the woman's brother and an accomplice, who are the prime suspects in the case.
Victim Identified, Suspects on the Run
The deceased has been identified as Javed Khwajamiyan Pathan (34), originally from Bhokar in Nanded district. Pathan worked at an automobile service centre located at Gaimukh Chowk in the Ambegaon area of Pune.
Police are searching for the main suspect, Sandeep Bhurke (25), who works as a security guard and is the brother of the woman Pathan was in a relationship with. An unidentified accomplice is also being sought in connection with the murder.
Timeline of a Tragic Attack
The fatal incident occurred around 6.45 pm on Monday. According to police reports, Bhurke and his accomplice arrived at the automobile service centre where Pathan worked. They first hurled abuses at him before physically assaulting him and then attacking him with a sharp weapon, leading to his death.
An FIR was subsequently registered on Tuesday at the Ambegaon police station. The complaint was filed by Raud Usman Shaikh (35), a relative of the deceased who also worked at the same service centre.
Relationship at the Heart of the Crime
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Milind Mohite confirmed that the initial investigation points to the relationship as the motive. "The deceased was in a relationship with the accused’s sister. The deceased and the woman were living together in the Narhe area for a few days. The accused was against the relationship," DCP Mohite stated.
Investigations revealed that Pathan had lived in Pune until about ten months ago before moving to Bhokar. He had returned to Pune with the woman less than two weeks prior to the attack.
An officer from the Ambegaon police station confirmed that several police teams have been formed to track down and apprehend the accused, who are currently absconding. The case highlights yet another instance of violent crime stemming from opposition to personal relationships, raising serious concerns about communal and familial intolerance.
