Man hammers labourer to death, injures another over ‘bhikhari’ slur

Nagpur: Enraged for being called a ‘bhikhari’ or beggar, 40-year-old Vinod Mokhe hammered a daily wager to death and injured the latter’s friend grievously in their sleep at small factory area before walking into Lakadganj police station to surrender in the early hours of Sunday. Mokhe and his victims had consumed liquor before having a fight earlier in the day.
The deceased, Lalchand Mendhe, along with friend, identified only as Conductor, had insulted Mokhe for asking for ‘puris’ from them. Mokhe, Mendhe and Conductor had got food packets distributed being distributed by an NGO to the needy during lockdown.
Mokhe worked as a watchman while Mendhe and Conductor were labourers. They slept on the footpath behind Mehta Petrol pump where the incident took place.
It is learnt Mokhe wanted some ‘puris’ from Mendhe and Conductor as he did not got them in his packet. Mendhe and Conductor hurled a one towards him and also called him a beggar following which there was a fight.
Mokhe then went to Lakadganj police station to lodge a complaint. Cops got him medically treated and also lodged a non-cognizable offence against Mendhe and Conductor. Mokhe was also fed by the cops as he did not have food.
Mokhe returned and waited for Mendhe and Conductor to go to sleep. He then attacked them with a hammer. Feeling grateful for the police who had fed him, Mokhe headed to the police station to surrender with the hammer in hand.
Cops rushed to the spot. Finding Conductor still alive, they took him to the Mayo hospital where he is fighting for life. Mokhe was taken to the court later in the day. He was remanded in police custody till May 20.