Sitting amid the blackened remains of his home, 32-year-old Nikesh Gawali carefully broke open a half-melted plastic box with a screwdriver. His hands shook slightly, not out of fear, but out of hope. “I’m trying to find my daughter Aarti’s gold earrings,” he said quietly, still focused on the box. “She’s just five. I got them made recently after months of labour work.” The plastic box, warped and blackened by heat, was one of the few things left from his two-room house on the outskirts of Dhamangaon village . All around him lay ash, broken tin sheets and charred wooden beams. The walls had cracked under the heat and the front room’s tin roof had caved in completely. What remained was a blackened debris all around - almost nothing to suggest a home once stood there. Nikesh earns his living as an agricultural labourer, like many in the village. Work is uncertain and depends on the season. Those earrings weren’t just jewellery - they were a small dream, a reward for his hard work,...
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| Cops investigating spot after the incident |
A youth was set ablaze by four goons over a petty matter at Pandhrabodi slum in city on Monday night. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Ambazari police station. Rajesh Mogre (25), a resident of Sudarshan ward in Pandhrabodi was allegedly set ablaze by the accused, identified as, Lotang Sagdel (50), Rajesh Kasekar (30), Guddu Kasekar (26) and others, all residents of Pandhrabodi and known history sheeters.
Police said that Kasekar family is notorious as all the male members are involved in one or other crime. The family is a terror in the area abuses people at will and also indulge in bootlegging. Victim’s family and accused are neighbours and they are involved in old rivalry.
On Tuesday at 6 pm, family members of Kasekar family were fighting amongst themselves. Rajesh came out from home to inquire about the matter. Lotang suddenly abused Rajesh irked by his interference in their family matter. Rajesh tried to escape from the spot but Lotang chased him and a scuffle ensued between them, said Kallu Mogre, victim’s father. As Lotang was in inebriated condition, Rajesh bashed him up and overpower him. Suddenly Lotang called his family members for help and relatives of Kasekar family living in area arrived at the spot. The accused soon overpowered Rajesh, subjecting him to sound thrashing. One of them brought petrol from a nearby bike and sprinkled it on Rajesh and then set him ablaze. Residents of area including family members of Rajesh gathered at the spot and put off the flames.
Residents rushed Rajesh to Government Medical Collage and Hospital (GMCH) where he is battling for life. The police have learnt that Rajesh has suffered about 90 per cent of burn injuries and he is sinking. Following the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Kailash Kanse, Police Inspector Anil Kathkade rushed to the spot. Police Inspector Kathkade told ‘The Hitavada’ that the incident was culmination of simmering rivalry between the two families and persons were drunk. Offence under sections 307 and 34 of Indian Penal Code was registered against the accused persons and investigations are on.
Rajesh father is a daily wage worker and his younger brother Mithesh too works as casual worker. Ambazari police have deployed bandobast in Pandhrabodi area to avoid any untoward incident.
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