Arati had launched agitations against a Kerosene Depot (Fair Price Shop) owned by Ravi Khante and other Fair Price Shop, owned by Kesarwani for black-marketing and hoarding of the stuff. Subsequent to the agitation by Arati, both the Shops were closed down. Since then the rivalry started brewing.
The ghastly murder of Shiv Sena woman activist Arati Borkar has emerged as contract killing over old rivalry. Husband of Arati, who too was attacked and seriously injured, in his police complaint, has named the alleged masterminds on whose behalf the assailants eliminated Arati.
Two accused have so far been detained. However, police have not revealed the names of the detained accused. According to police, Arati Anil Borkar (33), a resident of House No. 219, Raut Square, Nagpur, had launched agitations against a Kerosene Depot (Fair Price Shop) owned by Ravi Khante and other Fair Price Shop, owned by Kesarwani for black-marketing and hoarding of the stuff. Subsequent to the agitation by Arati, both the Shops were closed down. Since then the rivalry started brewing between Arati and both Khante and Kesarwani. On Friday (August 1) at about 9.15 pm when Arati and her husband Anil were standing and talking to each other in front of Vikas Motghare’s house at Raut Square in busy Lalganj area, the accused assailants Akash Dorkhande and his two accomplices arrived at the spot on Activa scooter.
The accused attacked Anil with sharp-edged weapons and injured him seriously. When Arati rushed to save Anil, the accused attacked her with the same weapons and inflicted grave injuries. The injuries proved fatal and Arati died on the spot. Meanwhile, the assailants fled the spot. Anil was immediately taken to Mayo Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. Arati was Secretary of Shiv Sena’s Women Wing in city. 
Nagpur News. Later, in his complaint to Pachpaoli police, Anil has named Narendra Kesarwani, Surendra Kesarwani, Sonu Kesarwani and Ravi Khante as masterminds on whose behalf the accused assailants eliminated Arati. PSI Bhosle has booked the accused under Sections 302, 307, 120(B) of the IPC and probing the matter further. A tense atmosphere was witnessed in the area when hundreds of Shiv Sena activists gathered there and shouted slogans against police and sought immediate arrest of the assailants.
Shutters down in Itwari market:
Gold Rate
20 May 2025
Nagpur District President of Shiv Sena Shekhar Sawarbandhe
Meanwhile, Nagpur District President of Shiv Sena Shekhar Sawarbandhe, while talking to Nagpur Today, squarely blamed police for negligence and inefficiency. “Arati Borkar had informed Pachpaoli, Kalamna, and Yashodhara Police Stations about life threats faced by her. She was a firebrand leader and had launched several agitations against illegal trades in North Nagpur. Arati was instrumental in closing down fair price shops whose owners indulged in black-marketing and hoarding of food and other items meant for distribution to poor people. She had carved a niche and her name in society by her helpful nature. Criminals in the area thought twice before indulging in eve-teasing. Her hold on ration officials and forcing them to act tough against Fair Price Shop owners was well appreciated by people of the area. This style of Arati’s working had created many enemies of her and hence she had informed police about life threats she faced. But police failed to initiated any action and thus could not provide security to her. Had police acted on time the brutal murder of Arati could have been averted,” claimed Sawarbandhe.
Sawarbandhe further told Nagpur Today that after considering the tense situation following the murder of Arati, he has appealed the President and other office-bearers of traders’ associations to keep Itwari and other markets closed in order to avoid any untoward incident. The traders in Itwari have decided to keep shutters down at least till funeral of Arati is held. Subsequently, Itwari and nearby markets wore a deserted look. Situation remained tense but under control. Nagpur District Shiv Sena Youth President Hitesh Yadav echoed the same sentiments as that of Sawarbandhe. He said the party activists were ensuring Itwari “bandh” in peaceful manner.
