Cross FIRs Filed After Violent Clash Involving Knives and Gunfire in Sambhajinagar
The Pundlik Nagar police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar took decisive action on Wednesday by registering cross First Information Reports (FIRs) against members of two rival groups. This legal move followed a highly volatile incident that escalated into a knife attack and suspected gunfire near Hanuman Chowk, raising serious concerns about public safety in the area.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Violent Confrontation
According to police reports, the clash originated on April 16 at approximately 8 PM. What began as a verbal altercation quickly spiraled out of control, prompting both groups to assemble at the location. The confrontation rapidly turned violent, with each side leveling allegations of assault against the other, creating a chaotic scene that required immediate police intervention.
Detailed Allegations from Both Sides in the Cross Complaints
In one complaint, Kunal Kishor Salve, a 26-year-old resident of Nyaynagar, provided a harrowing account of the incident. Salve alleged that Nilesh, also known as Surya Narayan Ranjane, along with his associates, launched a brutal attack on him during the melee. He stated that one of the accused restrained him while Ranjane attempted to stab him in the neck. Although Salve managed to evade this potentially fatal blow, he sustained a significant knife injury to his back, highlighting the severity of the assault.
The situation deteriorated further when members from both groups reportedly brandished firearms during the scuffle. Salve informed the police that a gunshot was audible amid the chaos, though he was unable to identify the individual responsible for firing the weapon, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
In the counter complaint, the rival group, led by Pawan Anil Divekar, aged 30, accused Salve and his associates of assault and criminal intimidation. This reciprocal filing underscores the mutual accusations and the intense hostility between the factions involved in the altercation.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Police Investigation
Police authorities confirmed that both cases encompass a range of serious charges, including unlawful assembly, assault, criminal intimidation, and the use of dangerous weapons. Additionally, provisions of the Arms Act have been invoked in response to the firearm-related offences, reflecting the gravity of the incident and the potential legal consequences for those involved.
Inspector Ashok Bhandare of the Pundaliknagar police station provided an update on the investigation, stating, "CCTV footage from the area is being meticulously analysed to ascertain the precise sequence of events and to identify the person who discharged the firearm." This technological approach is crucial for piecing together the chaotic events and ensuring that justice is served based on concrete evidence.
The registration of cross FIRs indicates that the police are treating the complaints from both sides with equal seriousness, aiming to maintain law and order while conducting a thorough probe into the violent clash that has unsettled the local community.
