NAGPUR: Three contract killers stabbed to death a former Shiv Sena central Nagpur shakha pramukh Aarti Borkar (33), near Raut Chowk in Lalganj locality, on Friday evening. The assailants, who are learnt to have been hired by Kesarwani family of the same area over an old enmity, first attacked Aarti’s husband Anil, but he escaped with injuries. Aarti was stabbed when she rushed to rescue Anil.

On Saturday, Itwari and Lalganj localities in Central Nagpur remained tense following the incident. Shops remained closed after some stray incidents of stones pelting and burning tyres on roads were reported. The irate supporters of Borkars also set afire Kesarwani’s home-based chilli powder manufacturing unit. Personnel from Pachpaoli and adjoining police stations brought the situation under control with city police chief KK Pathak and joint CP Sanjay Saxena keeping a close tab on the developments.

One of the assailants, Akash Dorkhande, was thrashed by Borkar’s supporters and is battling for life at Mayo hospital with serious head injuries. The police are uncertain about the exact amount of ‘supari’ but it is rumoured that the assailants were promised Rs 1 lakh to eliminate the Borkar couple.

Aarti was removed as Shiv Sena’s shakha pramukh earlier this year. The Borkars have a criminal record. Anil, who was externed in the past, has around 10 cases against him including that of causing injury, gambling, dealing in narcotics and others, police said. Aarti had offences registered against her including those of extortion and obstructing government officials in performing official work.

The couple was booked in March last year after Arvind Khante, a kerosene dealer, had filed a case of extortion against them for threatening to cough up Rs 25,000. Aarti was also booked for creating ruckus at a regional rationing office at Cotton Market. She was also part of the drama where a parking contractor was thrashed by Shiv Sena women workers at Collector’s office last year, it is learnt.

A crime branch team led by PI Avinash Shilimkar comprising Rajesh Thakur and others, arrested Vishal Khare alias Sanu, along with Sonu Kesarwani. Dorkhande would be taken into custody after he is discharged from hospital. Police have also launched a manhunt for Vikki Khare – who is one the three assailants.

Vikki was earlier arrested by Lakadganj police for raping a minor after eloping with her in August 2012. Police said that names of Sonu’s other family members, Narendra and Surendra Kesarwani along with Ravi Khante (one of the relatives of Arvind Khante), were named in a complaint lodged by Anil with Pachpaoli police but their roles are yet to be ascertained by them. Narendra was picked up in the late evening action.

Sources said that Sonu admitted to his family’s involvement in hiring the contract killers but kept mum over the ‘supari’ amount.

The attackers assaulted Anil, about 100 meters from their home, as the Borkars were returning after seeing off a guest at Raut Chowk. Dorkhande, who had returned from Pune recently, slashed Anil on the neck but he fought back. The unexpected retaliation unnerved Dokhande who dropped his weapon. Later Anil’s supporters pounced on him.

Police said that prima facie it seemed that Kesarwani family hatched the murder over their enmity with Borkars. The Borkars were at the forefront to ensure Kesarwanis shut their small home-based chilli powder and masala manufacturing unit on grounds of adulteration. They also got Kesarwanis, who also own a unit in Kalamna, face legal action.

A month ago, there was a fight between Kesarwanis and Borkars and their supporters. A section of local residents claimed that Pachpaoli police’s slack approach in earlier cases has led to the latest murder.

Sanu has added a different twist to the case. He said he had planned Aarti’s murder to avenge his humiliation. He has claimed to have been slapped by Aarti after his bike dashed her two-wheeler around a month ago. Sanu stabbed Aarti a few times before she collapsed.

While Sanu fled after stabbing Aarti, Anil grappled with Dorkhande until his supporters thrashed him. Anil later rushed a motionless Aarti to Mayo hospital along with his supporters. The couple has two sons, Pratham (11) and Om (9).

Several top Sena leaders including Shekhar Sawarbande rushed to Mayo hospital where tension prevailed in the evening.

Deputy commissioner of police SM Waghmare camped at Pachpaoli police station. ACP Baba Dongre and a large police posse was deployed to ensure Aarti’s funeral procession reached Gangabai ghat to avoid any further flare-up on Saturday.

