AURANGABAD: A 30-year-old man, who was assaulted by four men for allegedly failing to repay a loan, died in Udgir on Tuesday morning. The incident sparked tension in the area and a group of miscreants pelted stones at vehicles and even injured a policeman. Police said the situation is now under control.
Superintendent of police Nikhil Pingale told TOI: “The alleged attack took place eight days ago. A case of attempt to murder was booked a couple of days ago.” The deceased has been identified as Syed Bashir, a resident of Haibatpur village in Udgir. Pingale said following Bashir’s death, a section for committing murder has been added to the case and the accused — Tanaji Phule, Rajkumar Birajdar, Mahesh Birajdar and Shantvir Birajdar — have been arrested.
Citing the preliminary probe, police said due financial crisis, Bashir had to take a loan from a private moneylender. Over a period of time, Bashir failed to repay the instalments and the interest rate continued to go up. The private moneylender allegedly started pressurising Bashir to repay the money, and this led to arguments.
On January 13, Bashir and his cousin were waylaid by the accused, who brutally assaulted Bashir with sticks and rods. He was seriously injured and admitted to a private hospital. Bashir succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. As the news of his death spread, a mob gathered at the hospital. The mob then took Bashir’s body to the police station. A group of miscreants even pelted stones, and the police had to resort to lathi-charge. Police said a case of rioting, unlawful assembly, damage to public property, using criminal force to prevent a government employee from performing duty and other relevant sections have been registered against people involved in the violence.