A violent clash stemming from a minor quarrel among school students turned deadly in Thane's Diva area, leading to the arrest of four youths and the detention of four minors. The incident, which occurred on Monday night near Ganesh Vidya Mandir, claimed the life of a 20-year-old man and left another seriously injured.
Deadly Escalation of a School Dispute
According to the police complaint, the roots of the tragedy lie in a school-related dispute. On December 1, two minor boys were on their way to a barber shop when they were allegedly assaulted by a group of youths over this past issue. Upon learning about this attack, 20-year-old Abhijit Bhaskar Patil accompanied 21-year-old Sumit Sunil Gawde and one of the initially assaulted minors back to the spot to confront the group.
The confrontation quickly spiraled out of control. Police stated that one of the minors from the accused group pulled out a knife and stabbed the three newcomers. Others from the group joined in, punching and kicking the victims. Abhijit Patil sustained grievous injuries in the assault and succumbed soon after. The other injured, including Sumit Gawde and a minor boy, were rushed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa for treatment.
Police Action and Legal Framework
The Mumbra police have registered a case of murder under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The four accused arrested in connection with the crime have been identified as Pratik Sapkal (18), Swayam Patil (18), Chetan Gaikwad (20), and Swatej Jadhav (18). The four other individuals involved are minors and have been placed in custody under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Senior Police Inspector Anil Shinde of Mumbra police station confirmed the registration of the murder case and stated that the investigation is currently underway to uncover all details surrounding the violent episode.
Community Shock and Ongoing Probe
The fatal stabbing has sent shockwaves through the local community in Diva, highlighting how a seemingly minor altercation among students can escalate into extreme violence with tragic consequences. The incident underscores the critical need for conflict resolution and vigilance among youth groups. The police probe will now focus on the exact sequence of events, the history of the dispute, and the roles played by each of the accused individuals.
