Son Stages Father's Murder as Tiger Attack in Gadchiroli Village
In a shocking turn of events, a man initially believed to have been killed by a tiger in Gadchiroli district was actually murdered by his own son, police revealed. The incident, which caused widespread panic in the village about a maneater on the loose, was uncovered as a premeditated crime within hours.
Details of the Crime and Investigation
According to Gadchiroli police, Yogesh Dhakate allegedly used an axe to kill his 65-year-old father, Devaji, while he was cycling home at night from their family-owned brick kiln. The murder occurred near a railway tunnel on the outskirts of Palora village in Armori taluka. Devaji suffered deep stab wounds to his neck, back, and head, leading to fatal bleeding. His bicycle, white scarf, and glasses were found scattered nearby when authorities arrived at the scene.
Yogesh quickly attempted to frame the killing as a tiger attack, exploiting the area's reputation as a habitat for leopards and tigers. This deception initially baffled police, especially given recent incidents where two women were killed by wild animals in the region. The false narrative sparked fear among villagers, who worried about a predator on the prowl.
Family Involvement and Police Breakthrough
The investigation began when Devaji's younger brother, Purushottam Dhakate, aged 61 and a welding shop owner, filed a complaint at Armori police station on April 13. He reported that during dinner, Yogesh and his mother Kamal rushed to his house, urging his son Sachin to search for Devaji after receiving a call about his death. Purushottam and a friend then proceeded to the railway tunnel, where they found police and onlookers examining Devaji's body.
Police noted that while a tiger kill might have qualified for compensation from the forest department under government norms, the evidence pointed otherwise. The body's flat position and the nature of the stab wounds on the back indicated an assault with a sharp weapon, not an animal attack. Further probing revealed Yogesh's involvement, leading to his arrest and the filing of a murder FIR.
SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal stated, "The accused, Yogesh Dhakate, has been arrested. The flat position of the body and cut marks bore enough proof of foul play."Authorities believe the motive was revenge for the repeated humiliation of Yogesh's pregnant wife by Devaji, adding a tragic familial dimension to the crime. The swift police action helped douse the tiger panic and bring the perpetrator to justice.
