Mob kills NCP corporator’s husband in Maharashtra''s Beed

Mumbai, March 25

The husband of an NCP corporator was hacked to death in Maharashtra’s Beed district on Monday, allegedly by a mob that suspected he was helping the Shikalgar community in a kidnapping case, police said.

Pandurang Gaikwad, 50, was attacked with swords, sickles and sticks in Phule Nagar area of Parli-Vaijnath town in the district, 470 kilometres from here, an official said.

“Gaikwad sustained serious injuries in the attack in the early hours of Monday. He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” the official said.

Police said the attack might be the fallout of the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy four months ago, allegedly by members of the Shikalgar community as the minor was in love with a girl from the community.

A kidnapping case was registered with Purna police station and the boy’s body was found a few days later, enraging locals and kin, an official said.

“The mob, which included the mother of the kidnapped boy, attacked Gaikwad suspecting he was helping the Shikalgar community in the case,” said Inspector Balasaheb Pawar of Sambhajinagar police station.

He said 11 people, including two women, attacked and killed Gaikwad; five of them had been arrested and charged with murder. Efforts were on to nab the rest, he added.

The Shikalgar community is spread across the state and is traditionally engaged in making and sharpening weapons made from iron. PTI