Gangwar erupts in Kanhan: Injured goon brutally murdered near Kamptee hospital

• Fall out of turf-war between two gangs, Mitthu Singh was shot at by rival Gomekar gang and later he was attacked by swords near hospital before any medical help can be extended

• One accused arrested, QRT and SRPF deployed 

By Dheeraj Fartode

In a sensational incident, four assailants opened fire at a goon at Kanhan on Thursday over sharing the booty of gambling and later attacked him with swords when he was being taken to a hospital at Kamptee.

Deceased Mitthu alias Shital Gopal Singh (30), a resident of Kanhan Colliery was also an accused in double murder case in 2009. Court had sentenced him to life in the case. However, he was later acquitted by the High Court while allowing his appeal.

A senior police officer informed that Mitthu was trying to establish his supremacy in the area and had physically assaulted many persons including his rival goons. The murder is apparently a fall out of dispute over sharing the ill-gotten money, the police officer added. Earlier, gambling used to be held in the area in open ground without any fear of law. Nowadays, small time goons of the area are organising gambling at safe homes to escape any police action. 

The police said that suspected accused Suraj Gomekar, Sharad Gomekar and Amar Gomekar are running gambling dens at Colliery Mine no 6. Mitthu had developed enmity with Gomekar brothers since last two years and there used to be altercations with them on small pretexts. 

Mitthu had demanded fifty per cent share from Gomekar brothers from their gambling activity. Negotiations about the share continued for past three days. On Wednesday, Gomekar brothers called him up at their house. However, Mitthu refused to oblige them sensing danger to his life. 

On Thursday night, Mitthu along with three accomplices reached Gomekar’s gambling den and directed them to hand over fifty per cent of their earnings. Enraged over the demand, a quarrel broke out between Gomekar brothers and Mitthu’s gang. Gomekar gang members took out sword and sharp edged weapons and launched attack against Mitthu’s gang. One of them shot Mitthu with a pistol, it was learnt. Gomekars’ along with their accomplices immediately ran away from the spot fearing for their personal safety. 

Seriously injured in the attack, Mitthu fell on the ground in pool of blood. Blood was oozing from the his body and he was crying for help. Meanwhile, family members of Mitthu rushed to the spot and boarded him in Swift car. They tried him to take to Asha Hospital at Kamptee. 

However, Gomekar gang members who were determined to eliminate Mitthu also chased the car as they wanted to deprive him from getting any medical help. The accused boarded Bolero and chased the Swift car. They blocked the car just near the Asha Nursing home and went on rampage. The accused smashed window of the car and dragged a profusely bleeding Mitthu from the car. The brutally stabbed him several times and stopped only when he breathed his last. 

Mitthu’s brother Sunny also sustained grievous injuries in the dastardly attack. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Kamptee Ramesh Kantewar rushed to the spot and deployed Quick Response Team (QRT) and a company of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) in the town. Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Aarti Singh also visited the spot on Friday morning and directed police officials to take stern action against the accused. 

Kanhan Police have registered the case under sections 302, 307, 143, 147, 148 and 149 of Indian Penal Code read with sections 3,25 and 4,25 of Indian Arms Act. The Police have arrested accused Bhuru alias Sandip Dwarkaprasad Yadav (30), a resident of Kamptee. However, other accused are still at large.