Love Triangle Triggers Vandalism Spree in Nagpur's Joharipura Area
In a shocking incident that rattled the quiet Joharipura area near Mahal in Nagpur, a love triangle escalated into a violent vandalism spree late Tuesday night. A gang of 12 youths went on a rampage, damaging seven parked two-wheelers in what police have confirmed was a case of mistaken location. The incident initially sparked fears among residents, who assumed it might be a communal clash reminiscent of the March 17 riots, but authorities have now firmly ruled out any communal angle.
Motive Traced to Jilted Lover's Revenge Plot
Police investigations have traced the motive to a jilted lover named Mangesh, who had previously dated a girl. Following their break-up, the girl began seeing another youth, leading to repeated confrontations between Mangesh and his ex-flame's new suitor. Tensions boiled over after an altercation near an IT park around noon on Tuesday, prompting Mangesh to allegedly mobilize a gang for revenge.
Believing that his rival lived in Joharipura, Mangesh and his group launched their attack there late at night. However, they got the location completely wrong—the actual residence was near Gadikhana. Frustrated by their error, the gang ran amok from Joharipura towards Bhutiya Darwaza, vandalizing vehicles en route before fleeing towards Ram Cooler Chowk as locals raised an alarm.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaotic Scene
The incident unfolded around 11 pm on Tuesday when Satish Girde, a 48-year-old computer hardware technician living at Joharipura, Gandhi Gate, was alerted by the commotion while having dinner. Stepping out, Girde and his neighbors discovered the group wielding wooden sticks and systematically smashing vehicles in Vishnudi Gali.
Headlights, indicators, mirrors, mudguards, and other automobile parts of seven bikes were shattered. Girde estimated his personal loss at around Rs 19,000, and police believe the total losses suffered by residents could be significantly higher.
An 85-year-old resident, Natthuji Dharmik, bravely confronted the youths, questioning their actions, only to face verbal abuse. "I spotted one youth brandishing a sharp weapon. They were banging wooden clubs on parked two-wheelers inside the lanes. I rushed out hearing the noise. They were trying to wreck one of our two-wheelers. I tried to stop them, but they fled," Dharmik recounted.
Mohammad Fayaz Sheikh, 28, also intervened by shouting for help, which helped scatter the attackers. In his FIR, Girde described the act as premeditated arson, triggering fear and panic in the neighborhood. The arsonists were named in the FIR for vandalism, rioting, criminal intimidation, and unlawful assembly.
Police Response and Ongoing Manhunt
Police have detained two adults and four minors so far, with efforts underway to identify the remaining members of the 12-strong group. The two adults, Vrushab Khare and Swaroop Dongre, were later arrested. However, Mangesh, the main suspect, is still on the run.
Senior inspector of Ganeshpeth police station, Shravan Tawade, stated that police have launched a manhunt to search for Mangesh. "The gang did not have any criminal records in the past," he said, emphasizing that this was an isolated incident driven by personal motives rather than organized crime.
The incident has left the Joharipura community shaken, with residents calling for increased police vigilance to prevent such occurrences in the future. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the damage and are pursuing all leads to bring the remaining suspects to justice.
