Nagpur: Tension ran high in Nagpur Rural when a petrol pump owner was brutally murdered by three persons at the fuel station in Bhiwapur, on Wednesday morning. The accused fled the spot on a motorcycle with Rs 1.34 lakh cash. They were arrested by the cops in flimy style near Umred.
The deceased was identified as Dilip Rajeshwar Sontakke (60), a resident of Dighori, Nagpur. The arrested accused are identified as Sheikh Afroz Sheikh Hanif (33), a resident of Bada Tajbagh, Nagpur; Mohd Wasim Lal Mohd (29), a resident of Kharbi and Juber Khan.
According to police, Sontakke and one of his servants, Rajeshwar Nanhe, were counting cash when three robbers wearing marks stormed into the cabin, at around 10 am on Wednesday. One of the robbers was brandishing a pistol. Two of them stabbed Sontakke with a knife 15 times. Nanhe also was stabbed once when he tried to intervene. The robbers managed to escape with Rs 1.34 lakh cash. One of them threatened Nanhe with a pistol.
As soon as the incident was reported, a police team led by Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Sandeep Pakhale, Police Inspector (LCB) Omprakash Kokate, and PI (Additional charge) Pramod Ghonge of Umred reached the spot. Immediately, the police cordoned off the entire Umred route. After spotting the robbers near Umred, the cops chased them for about 15 kms. The robbers attempted to evade arrest by turning their motorcycle back and accelerating away from the police. However, the police were determined and continued the pursuit for about 15 kms. This compelled the robbers to abandon their motorcycle and flee into the nearby forest. The police team managed to catch up with the fleeing robbers.
A case under Sections 302, 120 (b) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Sections 3, 25 of Arms Act, was registered at Bhiwapur Police Station against the trio. Injured Nanhe is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur.
