Pune: The Sahakarnagar police have arrested three individuals in connection with the assault on a senior citizen, believed to be practicing witchcraft. The police investigation uncovered a plot to murder the elderly man for a contract worth ₹2 lakh.
The suspects, identified as Sagar Satish Kumbhar (41) and Tauras Balu Karale (43) from Super Indiranagar, Bibwewadi, along with Sagar Shashikant Sonar (32) from More Vasti, behind Ranka Jewelers, Padmavati, were apprehended by the police.
The victim, Sonu Pandu Hode (67), also a resident of More Vasti, was attacked with a sharp weapon on June 15 in the Padmavati area, resulting in severe injuries.
Over the past few days, the Sahakarnagar police had been actively investigating the case. They received a tip-off that led them to Sagar Kumbhar, who was residing in the Super Indiranagar area. Upon detaining and interrogating Kumbhar, he admitted that the assault on Hode was orchestrated by Sagar Sonar.
This case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding superstitions and the extreme actions taken by individuals influenced by such beliefs. Recently, secretary of a housing society located in Kondhwa was booked on charges of practicing 'black magic' and criminal intimidation of the society resident over a minor dispute.
The incident had taken place in Picasso Paradise Apartment at Sahyadri Park in Salunkhe Vihar area of Kondhwa. Society resident Rupesh Agarwal has filed a complaint in this regard.
Kondhwa police had registered FIR against society secretary Rajkumar Joshi and his son Ankur Joshi, both residing at Picasso Paradise Apartment. The suspects were booked under sections 294, 500, 504, 506, 34 of the Indian Penal Code including section 3(2) of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Injurious, and Aghori Practices and Witchcraft Act, 2013.
