Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aug 25: A possible hate crime unfolded in the Phulambri tehsil of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) on Friday evening when a 27-year-old Muslim paan seller, Nazir Khan, was brutally killed, and a fruit vendor, Sultan Shaikh, was severely injured in a violent attack. The assault occurred after the victims requested payment for cigarettes and an apple from a group of men who refused to pay.
The situation escalated when the men, identified as locals from Harsul (a suburb of Aurangabad), began verbally abusing the victims, hurling communal slurs at them. The confrontation began at Sultan’s fruit cart, where one of the accused took an apple without paying. The group then moved to Nazir’s paan stall, where they took cigarettes and refused to pay, leading to a heated argument.
As tensions rose, the assailants drew sharp-edged weapons and viciously attacked Nazir and Sultan. Despite attempts to flee, the perpetrators were apprehended by local residents, who managed to capture four of the attackers on the spot, along with their motorcycles.
The deceased, Nazir Khan, leaves behind a grieving wife and a five-month-old daughter. The injured fruit vendor, Sultan Shaikh, is currently receiving medical treatment.
Police have arrested seven of the eight accused, who have been identified as Sachin Palhad, Aryan Bhalerao, Sagar Shinde, Pawan Khadsan, Gokul Bhadve, Ajinjya Salve, and Amol Jadhav. The arrested individuals have been remanded to police custody for further investigation.
This incident has sparked concern among the local Muslim community, raising questions about safety and justice. The police have increased security measures in the area, deploying riot control teams to prevent further unrest.
Many political commentators point to the upcoming Assembly elections in the state as the main reason behind such communal incidents. They say communal forces hope to gain political mileage through religious polarization. The Muslim community is calling for swift justice and strict action against those responsible for this heinous crime.
