A 29-year-old youth was brutally attacked with a sharp weapon while celebrating Holi with friends in the Borivali area on Thursday night. The Borivali police have arrested a 27-year-old accused and registered a case of attempted murder against him.
The injured youth has been identified as Mallesh Narasayya Gattappa (29), a resident of Bhimnagar in Gorai. On the night of the incident, Mallesh had gone to celebrate Holi along with his friends Rohit Sawant and Akash Kamble at the premises of the Lotus building. The accused, Akash Shinde, was also present at the location.
While the Holi puja was in progress, Mallesh was engaged in a conversation with his friends. Reportedly, Shinde had an old rivalry with Mallesh due to a dispute that took place one and a half years ago. Holding a grudge, Shinde started an argument with Mallesh and, in a fit of rage, launched a violent attack on him with a sharp weapon.
Shinde struck Mallesh on the neck, cheek, and forehead with the weapon, leaving him critically injured. Mallesh was immediately rushed to Shatabdi Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for severe injuries to his neck, left ear, and forehead.
Following the incident, the Borivali police registered a case under attempt to murder and the Arms Act. A police team was formed, and the accused was traced to his residence and taken into custody. The weapon used in the attack has been seized and will be sent for forensic examination.
Investigations have revealed that Akash Shinde works in housekeeping and resides in the Ganesh Nagar area of Naigaon, Palghar district. He was previously friends with Mallesh but had fallen out with him over a dispute. Authorities are also looking into Shinde’s past criminal record.
Police had planned to check CCTV footage from the crime scene but found that there were no cameras in the area. However, statements from two eyewitnesses have been recorded. Investigators suspect that Shinde arrived at the spot with the intention of attacking Mallesh, as he was carrying a sharp weapon.
Borivali police are continuing further investigations into the case.