

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: In a horrific incident, a youth was killed by dragging him with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and later smashing his head against a water tanker before crushing him to death under the four-wheeler.

The victim, Salman, died on the spot. His brother was also attacked with a sword and his condition remains serious.

The incident occurred in MP Nagar in Bhopal. The main accused, Shivaji Patil, is district chief of Rashtriya Hindu Sena.

He and his accomplices have been booked for murder. The incident occurred after Patil and other armed goons had targeted nearly two dozen vehicles, smashing the windowpanes near Pragati Petrol Pump.

They were also abusing and shouting. When Salman, 25, whose father's vehicle was also damaged, reached the spot and objected, Shivaji Patil and his companions attacked him. Salman's brother Sohail was also attacked and beaten. He got injured. Salman later succumbed to injuries in the hospital. His brother's condition remains serious.

"NO ONE CAME TO MY HELP, I FELT SO HELPLESS": VICTIM'S FATHER

The victim's father Abdul Saeed said that Shivaji Patil, Bharat Soni, Chhotu and others brutally beat Salman and later dragged him for over 200 metres, before smashing his head against a water tanker".

"Then they ran him over with the vehicle", he said. "They kept on thrashing him, crushed him and there was no one to save him. I felt so helpless", Saeed said.

ACCUSED HAS LONG CRIMINAL RECORD

The main accused, Patil, has a long criminal record. Local police officials told media persons that he has over half-a-dozen criminal cases against him. Patil was allegedly involved in extortion from transporters.

After the incident, the goons had threatened local residents and warned them against informing police about their identities. The police reached the spot much later. Apart from Shiva, one of his accomplices Rocky has also been caught.

MURDERED A FORTNIGHT BEFORE MARRIAGE

When the policemen reached the locality later, they faced local residents' ire. People were upset that the goons killed a youth and managed to escape.

The victim, Salman's marriage was scheduled this month. The engagement ceremony was held recently. On May 21st, the wedding was scheduled.

The police said that the assailants have been booked for murder and vandalizm. Patil has been involved in crimes in the past too. He is district chief of Rashtriya Hindu Sena. He has been arrested.