Mumbai: 26-Year-Old Man Killed by Friend in Santacruz After Dispute Over Money; Accused Arrested

A 26-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his friend following a dispute over money in Mumbai’s Santacruz area. The incident came to light in the Vakola locality, where the accused was arrested within seven days of the crime.

The deceased has been identified as Ranjit Dinanath Chaudhary (26), while the accused is his friend Vicky Rajkumar Chaudhary (27). The Vakola Police have arrested Vicky, and a local court has remanded him to police custody in connection with the murder case.

According to the police, the incident took place on Thursday, February 5, at around 7 pm at Jai Bhavani Chawl on Gaondevi Datt Mandir Road in Rajiv Nagar, Santacruz. Ranjit’s father, Dinanath Sukkhu Chaudhary, is originally from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and currently resides near Kalimata Mandir in the Badhya Chowk area. He works as a painter.

Police said that Ranjit and Vicky had been at odds for the past few days over room rent payments. The dispute had escalated as the matter remained unresolved, leading to growing hostility between the two.

On the evening of the incident, Vicky reportedly visited Ranjit at his residence. An argument broke out again over money, following which Vicky allegedly attacked Ranjit with a blunt weapon, inflicting severe injuries to his head and chest. After the assault, the accused allegedly locked Ranjit inside the house from outside and fled the spot.

Local residents later noticed the situation and rushed the injured Ranjit to V. N. Desai Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. His body was sent for post-mortem examination, which confirmed injuries caused by a blunt object and established that he had been murdered.

Upon receiving information from the hospital, the Vakola Police reached the spot and recorded the statement of the deceased’s father. Based on his complaint, a case of murder was registered against Vicky Chaudhary.

The accused, who had been absconding since the registration of the offence, was arrested by the police on Wednesday. Further investigation is underway.