Spike in brutal killings sparks concern in city of Maharashtra CM and Union Minister; police launch crackdown

Nagpur: April turned out to be one of the bloodiest months in recent memory for Nagpur, with 13 murder cases claiming 14 lives in just 30 days. The spike in killings—averaging nearly one murder every two days—has raised serious concerns about law and order in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister and a Union Minister.

Wadi Murder Over Minor Argument Adds to April Tally:

The latest killing was reported on April 30 under the jurisdiction of Wadi police station. Suraj Subhash Bhalavi (27), a resident of Sonba Nagar, Wadi, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of liquor bar employees following a petty argument over spilled alcohol. The accused have been identified as Vishal Divekar, Rohit Varkhade, Sandeep Chavan, Sunil Gote, Prabhakar Chintamani, and others.

Domestic Disputes and Instant Rage Drive Majority of Murders:

A large number of the April murders were rooted in domestic disputes or acts of sudden rage. In Hudkeshwar, a youth allegedly poisoned his friend on April 14 out of envy. In another gruesome case in the same locality, an assistant professor from GMCH was brutally murdered by her husband—himself a professor at a Raipur-based medical college—along with his brother. Similar acts of impulsive violence were recorded in areas under Yashodharanagar, Pachpaoli, and Jaripatka police stations.

Gang Rivalries, Revenge Killings Add to Death Toll:

Old enmities and revenge motives also contributed to the bloodshed. On April 3, Sohail Khan was shot dead in Mankapur following a turf war over stall space in a local market. Just days later, on April 9, a double murder in Vasantrao Naik Slum shocked residents as notorious criminals Sagar Masram and Laxman Gondya were gunned down in a gang rivalry.

On April 15, café owner Avinash Bhusari was fatally shot in Dharampeth by members of the Bunty Hiranwar gang, allegedly to avenge the earlier murder of Hiranwar’s brother. In Kapil Nagar, middle-aged property dealer Ankush Kadu was killed in broad daylight in a suspected contract killing orchestrated by a female land mafia figure and her accomplices.

Commissioner Orders Crackdown on Inefficiency in Police Force:

Reacting to the crime surge, Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal initiated a strong crackdown on internal inefficiencies. Three police sub-inspectors—including two women—from MIDC police station were suspended, while the Detection Branch squads of Ambazari and Kapil Nagar police stations were disbanded.

The CP has also ramped up night patrolling, launched combing operations, and issued stern warnings to antisocial elements across the city.

“Most of the murders stemmed from domestic disputes and acts of sudden rage. We have cracked all the cases, and the key accused are behind bars,” CP Ravinder Kumar Singal confirmed.