Special Correspondent
Pune : In a chilling case of honour killing, a 22-year-old youth named Pradeep Adagale was brutally murdered by his girlfriend’s brother, mother, and a friend late Thursday night in Pune’s Chandannagar area. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 PM near a local vegetable market, has left the city in shock.
According to police sources, the accused, Rushi Kakade, along with his mother Savita Kakade and friend Shubham Mandhare, attacked Pradeep with pieces of a broken tile (farshi). Pradeep suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Sassoon Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries around 6:30 AM on Friday morning.
Investigations have revealed that there had been longstanding tension between Rushi and Pradeep due to the latter’s relationship with Rushi’s sister. Rushi allegedly disapproved of the relationship and had frequent arguments with Pradeep over the past year. Police say the motive behind the attack was rooted in this grudge, with Rushi accusing Pradeep of causing emotional distress to his sister.
On Thursday night, the confrontation escalated into violence. Eye-witnesses say the trio cornered Pradeep in the marketplace and launched a sudden assault using a sharp fragment of construction tile. The brutality of the assault and involvement of a parent in the act has raised serious concerns about the growing intolerance towards inter-personal relationships in conservative families.
A case of murder has been registered at Chandannagar Police Station under IPC Section 302. All three accused — Rushi, Savita, and Shubham — have been taken into custody and further interrogation is underway.