Shivajinagar Murder: Personal rivalry or gang war?

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A criminal named Rohit alias KaranMaske (25, Rajnagar) was brutally murdered after old grudges resurfaced following a party involving criminal gangs from Mukundwadi and Pundliknagar. The killing was carried out by Akshay Padulonce a mastermind of counterfeit currency along with accomplices at Shivajinagar's Mayur Terrace Housing Society at 2.30 am on Tuesday night. The court has remanded the accused to five days of police custody.

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Weapons, vechiles to be seized

Accused Padul and others had called Rohit at 8 pm, inviting him to a party. By 12.30 am, an old dispute over a knife attack Rohit had previously carried out on Padul reignited leading to the brutal murder. Police suspect each attacker arrived on separate vehicles; blood-soaked clothes, weapons, and vehicles are yet to be seized.

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Personal dispute or gand supremacy?

• All those involved the deceased and the accused are recorded criminals.

• Rohit had been in contact with notorious criminals from Mukundwadi and Rajnagar for months.

• Most attackers belong to Pundliknagar and Shivajinagar — areas with a history of gang rivalry.

• Though the groups had bonded in prison, supremacy clashes continued outside. Police will investigate both angles.

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Social media glorification fuels envy

Rohit, along with Mukesh Salve, Vicky alias Helmet Sonkamble, Balaji Pival and Pawan Diwekar, regularly posted gang-glorifying content on social media including reels from court and prison premises. Rohit had even listed a murder charge (former Section 302) on his profile and ran a gang called "Mhaske Company." Police are also probing whether social media glorification and resulting jealousy played a role in the killing.