Exiled youth killed in brutal knife attack

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A long-standing rivalry turned deadly in Wadgaon Kolhati under Waluj MIDC, where exiled criminal Karan Gaikwad died after a brutal knife attack. He succumbed to injuries at government medical college and hospital (GMCH). Tension escalated further after the main accused’s house was allegedly set on fire. Police have arrested three accused, while one remains absconding.

The incident occurred on Thursday around 12.30 pm near Lakshmimata temple, when Karan went to an open ground to feed pigs. Accused Ajay Dahatonde, Omkar alias Sonya Tribhuvan, Abhijeet Phate and Kiran Ghumre confronted him over an old dispute and launched a sudden attack. He was repeatedly stabbed in the back and also injured in the hand, while others assaulted him with kicks and punches. Severely injured, he ran to his house and collapsed on the veranda. He was rushed to Ghati Hospital but died on May 1. A case was registered based on a complaint by his sister, and three accused have been arrested while one remains absconding. Tension further escalated when the house of main accused Ajay Dahatonde was allegedly set on fire on Saturday morning, destroying household belongings. Despite police deployment, the incident raised questions over security. Karan had earlier been externed from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district and was living in Jalna, but had returned home for family reasons. The case highlights a rising trend of fatal clashes between rival groups in the Waluj MIDC area.