Nagpur: In a shocking escalation of gang rivalry, a 35-year-old man was brutally murdered near Jagnade Square on Thursday night, sending shockwaves across the locality. The victim, identified as Nitesh alias Nitin Dupare, a resident of Gujarwadi, was allegedly attacked with sharp weapons by his rival Yash alias Dattu Goswami and an accomplice named Satpute.

The incident occurred around 8 pm near the Nag Nadi Bridge as Nitesh was walking from Jagnade Square towards Gangabai Ghat Square. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers ambushed him in a crowded area and launched a fatal assault, prompting panic among passersby who fled the scene.

According to sources, the murder appears to be an act of revenge. Nitesh and Yash had a long-standing enmity, both having criminal backgrounds. Two months earlier, Nitesh had reportedly attacked and injured Yash, further fueling the rivalry. The situation escalated again on Wednesday night when both individuals were involved in another confrontation and subsequently approached Kotwali Police Station to file complaints. However, police allegedly failed to act decisively, which may have provoked Thursday’s violent retaliation.

Following the incident, Kotwali police personnel rushed to the spot and shifted Nitesh to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Local residents have raised concerns over increasing criminal activities in the Jagannath Square area and criticized the police for their lack of preventive action despite prior alerts.