In a shocking incident of political violence, senior Maharashtra Congress leader Hidayat Patel died on Wednesday morning after being brutally stabbed in Akola district. The attack, captured on CCTV, has sent ripples through the political landscape of the region.
Attack After Prayers, A Fatal Assault
The assault occurred around 2 pm on Tuesday in Akot city, shortly after Hidayat Patel had finished his afternoon prayers at a local mosque. According to Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandok, the accused, identified as 25-year-old Ubed Patel, was also present at the mosque. As Hidayat Patel exited, Ubed allegedly attacked him with a knife, stabbing him multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Despite his grievous injuries, Hidayat Patel managed to walk to a local hospital. However, his condition deteriorated through the day. Authorities created a green corridor to urgently transfer him to a hospital in Akola city. During treatment, he suffered a minor heart attack and ultimately passed away on the morning of January 7, 2026.
Massive Manhunt Leads to Arrest
The Akola police launched an intensive search operation following the attack. Nearly 40 police personnel were deployed to track down the accused, who had fled to a nearby jungle area. Their efforts culminated in the arrest of Ubed Patel at approximately 8:30 pm on Tuesday.
"He will be produced before the court today for seeking his custody," stated SP Archit Chandok, confirming the arrest which was heavily reliant on CCTV evidence that showed Ubed committing the crime.
Old Grudge and Political Rivalry as Motive
During preliminary interrogation, the police uncovered a history of animosity between the two families, who belong to the same community. Ubed Patel allegedly held Hidayat Patel responsible for hindering his family's prosperity and for blocking their work on various fronts.
More significantly, the accused blamed Hidayat Patel for the 2019 murder of his uncle, Mateen Patel, citing political rivalry as the root cause. This long-standing grievance appears to have been the primary motive behind the fatal attack.
While the police are investigating if the immediate provocation was linked to the recent local body polls, an officer clarified that Hidayat Patel was not directly involved in the Akot Nagar Palika elections, which were held last month. The attack site, Akot, is a rural area not under the civic body's direct purview.
The investigation remains active, with authorities interrogating Ubed Patel further to piece together the complete sequence of events and establish any broader conspiracy.
