Pune: Violent Incident Erupts During Garba Celebration in Mhalunge, One Injured in Shooting
Pune: Violent Incident Erupts During Garba Celebration in Mhalunge, One Injured in Shooting
A festive night turns tragic as a gunshot and assault disrupt the Navratri celebrations in Khed taluka.
A shocking incident of gunfire marred the Garba celebrations in the Mhalunge area of Khed taluka on the night of October 12. The joyous festivities organized by the Chhava Pratishthan Mitra Mandal near Bhairavanath Temple took a violent turn when an altercation escalated, leading to an attempted murder.
Nilesh Asati, 38, a resident of Mhalunge, was shot in the chest during the chaos. The incident unfolded around 11:15 PM after an argument broke out between Saurabh Mule, 27, and Shankar Navghane. The confrontation began when Mule reportedly dragged Navghane’s son out of the Garba program by the collar, igniting tensions that soon involved other attendees, including women.
The situation escalated further as women present confronted Mule, leading to a physical altercation. In the heat of the moment, one of Mule’s associates pulled out a pistol and shot Asati, injuring him severely. Another accomplice struck Suraj Kadam, 30, on the head with a brick, causing additional injuries. Following the shooting, the suspects fired shots into the air, creating panic among the attendees before fleeing the scene.
Senior Police Inspector Nitin Gite is currently leading the investigation into the incident. A case has been registered against Saurabh Mule and two accomplices, and police are actively searching for the suspects. Both Asati and Kadam were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of the violence that erupted during what should have been a night of celebration.
