Nagpur: A 20-year-old murder accused who was recently released on bail was allegedly beaten to death with a stone in Nagpur’s Wathoda area, sending shockwaves through the locality. His body was discovered in a forested patch behind Symbiosis College on Friday morning, following which police detained three persons for questioning.

The deceased was identified as Pratik Raju Karandekar, a resident of Pardi. According to investigators, Pratik had been arrested in 2025 in connection with a murder in the HB Town area. He had secured bail and was released from jail around two months ago along with two co-accused.

Police said Pratik left his residence on Thursday evening on his motorcycle after informing his family that he was stepping out for some work. When he failed to return, his family grew worried. His blood-stained body was found the next morning in bushes behind Symbiosis College.

During the preliminary investigation, officers found evidence indicating that Pratik had spent the previous night with a group of acquaintances at the same location. The group had allegedly consumed liquor together before an argument broke out.

Investigators believe the altercation turned violent, with Pratik being attacked and his head allegedly crushed using a stone. The brutal assault is suspected to have caused his death.

Based on initial evidence, Wathoda police have detained three suspects and are questioning them to establish the sequence of events and identify the person responsible for the murder.

Police are also examining whether the crime stemmed from an old rivalry linked to the previous murder case, a personal dispute, or another motive. Officials said the findings of the postmortem examination, forensic evidence, and the interrogation of the detained suspects will help determine the exact circumstances surrounding the killing.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Police said more arrests could follow as the probe progresses.