Nashik: Man Killed After Dispute Over Cigarette Price, Shopkeeper Arrested

A shocking incident occurred in the CIDCO area near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Stadium, where a minor dispute over the price of a cigarette led to a violent altercation, resulting in the death of a customer. The Ambad police have taken the accused shopkeeper into custody and are awaiting the autopsy report before taking further action.

On Wednesday (2nd) around 1:30 PM, Vishal Bhalerao (50), a resident of Pathardi Phata, visited a paan stall near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Stadium to buy cigarettes. The shopkeeper, identified as Bapu Jagannath Sonawane (59) of Shivpuri Chowk, CIDCO, charged eleven rupees for a cigarette. When Bhalerao questioned the price, stating that cigarettes were sold for ten rupees elsewhere, an argument ensued. The verbal dispute escalated, and in a fit of rage, Sonawane allegedly struck Bhalerao on the head with a wooden baton, causing a serious injury.

Despite his injury, Bhalerao went to work, but his employer noticed his bleeding condition and immediately took him to a private hospital. Doctors treated his head wound with three stitches, after which he returned home. However, by evening, Bhalerao started feeling unwell and was rushed to a private hospital. He was later referred to the district government hospital, where medical officers declared him dead upon arrival.

Following the incident, the Ambad police launched an investigation and took Sonawane into custody. Senior Police Inspector Rakesh Hande stated that legal action would be taken based on the autopsy report.