Pune: Man Injured in Chikhali Shooting Amidst Ongoing Disputes
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Chikhali, 12th May 2024: Around 6 PM today, gunshots rang out in Pimpri Chinchwad, leaving everyone shocked by the sudden violence. The concern arose as the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for tomorrow in the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency, where the gunshots occurred. Zone 3 Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr Shivaji Pawar, clarified that the gunfire was unrelated to the elections, as neither the accused nor the victim has any connections to politics.
According to information provided by DCP Dr Shivaji Pawar, Ajay Phule, aged 19 and a resident of Mohan Nagar, Chinchwad, has been identified as the victim. Harshal Sonawane, a resident of Jadhavwadi Chikhali, has been identified as the accused. Sonawane had two accomplices with him named Shyam Chaudhary and Kirti Lilare. During the altercation, victim Phule sustained injuries as one of the gunshots hit him in the biceps. The process of registering a case is currently underway at Chikhali Police Station.
What transpired is that in Jadhavwadi, Chikhali, under the jurisdiction of Chikhali Police Station, gunshots were heard at 6 PM. The accused, Sonawane, and the victim, Phule, are acquainted with each other, and there have been disputes between them for the past 5-6 months. Today, the accused Sonawane came to a stove repairing shop owned by Phule in Jadhavwadi and started arguing. After the arguments, he fired shots, injuring Phule in the bicep. One of the shots fired also injured the accomplice Lilare of accused Sonawane. Both Lilare and Phule are undergoing treatment in private hospitals. DCP Pawar clarified that the gunshots fired were in no way related to the elections.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Doifode confirmed that Shyam Chaudhary has been arrested by Pimpri Chinchwad Police’s Crime Branch Unit 1, and Harshal Sonawane has been arrested by the Detection Branch of Chikhali Police Station.
