In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the political landscape of Maharashtra, Mangesh Kalokhe, the husband of a newly elected Shiv Sena corporator, was brutally hacked to death in Navi Mumbai's Khopoli area on Friday morning. The attack, carried out with deadly weapons including swords, a sickle, and an axe, has sparked allegations of political vendetta and led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against ten individuals, including prominent local leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
A Fatal Ambush After School Drop-off
The gruesome murder occurred around 7 am on Friday. Mangesh Kalokhe (45), a former corporator himself, was returning home on his motorcycle after dropping his daughter at school. As he reached a junction in Vihari village, he was ambushed. According to police reports, two assailants, who were waiting in a black car with four other accomplices, attacked him. They struck him repeatedly with swords, a sickle, and an axe before fleeing the scene in the vehicle. Kalokhe succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The attack was witnessed by several local residents.
Political Vendetta Allegations and FIR
The Khopoli police swiftly registered an FIR based on a complaint lodged by Mangesh Kalokhe's cousin. The complaint alleges a murder conspiracy. The FIR names ten people, including Sudhakar Ghare (NCP's Raigad district president), Bharat Bhagat (NCP's local spokesperson), Ravindra Deokar and his sons Darshan and Dhanesh, and Sachin Chavan. Raigad Superintendent of Police Anchal Dalal stated that the complainant accused Ravindra Deokar, his sons, and Chavan of hatching the murder plot. The complaint claims that Darshan, Chavan, and three others chased Mangesh, waylaid his bike, and executed the fatal attack.
The incident has immediately taken a sharp political turn. Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogavale alleged that the murder was an act of political vendetta, stemming from the recent Khopoli Municipal Council elections. He pointed out that Ravindra Deokar's wife, Urmila, had contested the election from ward number 3 on an NCP ticket against Shiv Sena's Manasi Kalokhe and lost by a significant margin of over 700 votes. Furthermore, it has emerged that one of the accused, Sudhakar Ghare, is a close aide of NCP MP Sunil Tatkare. Ghare had contested the 2024 assembly elections as an Independent against Shiv Sena's Mahendra Thorve from Karjat and lost. Mangesh Kalokhe was known to be a staunch supporter of Thorve.
Public Outrage and Police Response
As news of the brutal killing spread, angry Shiv Sena supporters gathered outside the Khopoli police station, demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. The situation necessitated the deployment of a large police force in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any escalation of violence.
Police authorities have confirmed the gravity of the case and the ongoing investigation. SP Anchal Dalal noted that while the FIR has been filed against ten individuals, four of the accused are still unidentified. The investigation is actively pursuing all angles, with a focus on the political rivalry angle highlighted in the complaint and by local leaders. The police are examining evidence and witness statements to build a solid case and bring all those involved to justice.
This murder has cast a dark shadow over the region, highlighting the intense and sometimes violent undercurrents of local politics. The community in Khopoli remains in a state of shock, awaiting swift action from the law enforcement agencies.
