A 20 year-old college student was targeted and killed by Maratha men on June 7, 2020 for being in a relationship with a girl from their community. Fout of the six accused – Hemant Kate, Sagar Kate, Kailash Kate and Jadish Kate have been taken into police custody. As the remaining two are a few months short of 18, they have been sent to children’s home in Pune. Viraj and Jagdish Kate’s daughter had been toghether for a while. According to Viraj’s close friends who were privy to his relationship, the Kate had threatened him two months before the killing about dire consequences if he did not back off. Viraj’s family says they were unaware of this relationship untill the incident, and only after his death did his friends share the backstory with them.
On the day of incident, elder brother of girl met Viraj on the main road and they used abusive words against Viraj and fought with him on the road. Viraj tried to escape from the place on his bike but accused followed him and dashed his bike with tempo. They throw stone at him and Viraj fell on the ground. Mthen the accused beat him with rod (jack of vehicle) on his head.
Immediately the family members and Viraj’s friends visited the place and took him to the nearby Lotus Hospital but they refused to treat him and asked them to take Viraj to other hospital. Then they moved him to Birla Hospital where the treatment on him started. The incident took place around 9 to 9.30 pm and he got admitted in Hospital around 10 to 10.30 pm. Viraj was conscious and informed about the incident to mother, and later went under coma.
The family members visited Police Station late night on 7th June, but police refuled to register a complaint. During treatment Viraj passed away in hospital on 8th June at 3.30 pm, the police then reigstered FIR at 4.30 pm, at Sanghvi Police Station. It was not mentioned in FIR that Viraj was called by the accused. The phone of Viraj was found broken and was with family which later submitted to the police for further investigation. All accused are from the same family and have strong political support. Two minors are released on bail and session court refused bail for other accused.
Artist: Sunil Abhiman Awachar
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