Man stabbed after brawl at ‘open bar’

Nagpur: Liquor consumption in the open nearly led to a murder on Sunday, when a man was attacked by three armed assailants under the influence of alcohol in a public place. The victim had accidentally brushed past one of the culprits at Kharbi Chowk, leading to the brawl. The victim, Amol Sayyam, is fighting for life in hospital.
Sayyam had come with friends, including complainant Ravi Dongre, from Umrer to the city to enjoy some liquor and feast on Sunday. After purchasing liquor bottles from Payal Bar near Kharbi, Sayyam and others were drinking and eating near a roadside egg vendor when he accidentally brushed past Rahul Mandekar.

It’s learnt Mandekar had earlier intervened when Sayyam and the egg vendor had been arguing over some issue. Mandekar had objected to the manner in which Sayyam was speaking to the woman vendor.

Later, when Sayyam dashed into Mandekar, he had also apologized. However, an enraged Mandekar asked two of his friends, including Prashant Katole, to reach the place, and attacked the men from Umrer.

As Sayyam was heading towards his vehicle, he was pinned down by Mandekar, Katole and another. Katole, a sarpamitra or snake catcher, used a stick meant to trap reptiles to assault Sayyam. Mandekar used his sharp knife to stab Sayyam all over the body until he collapsed to the ground. Sayyam was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital, where he is now recuperating.

Nandanvan police, which have already arrested Mandekar and Katole, registered an offence of attempt to murder against them. One of their friends is yet to be nabbed. “The two were rounded up by 4am following a tip off,” said assistant PI Pankaj Dharge of Nandanvan police station.

Nandanvan police, which had produced Mandekar and Katole before the court on Monday, procured four days of custody for the two. Zonal DCP Nilesh Bharne said he shall launch a drive against open liquor consumption in south Nagpur.