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Man fires pistol at cultural centre owner over event slot dispute
A cultural centre operator allegedly escaped an attempt on his life after a man fired pistol at him following dispute over allocation of performance slot at cultural centre in Junnar taluka
PUNE: A 38-year-old cultural centre operator allegedly escaped an attempt on his life after a man fired a pistol at him following a dispute over the allocation of a performance slot at a cultural centre in Kandali village of Junnar taluka early Saturday morning.
The bullet missed the intended target but struck a 31-year-old man who was present at the spot, injuring him, police said.
The incident took place between 4.30am and 4.50am at Tuljabhavani Sanskruti Kala Kendra in Kandali.
According to a complaint filed by Akshay Anil Dhongde (38), a cultural centre operator from Warulwadi in Junnar, four men identified as Kolekar, Anna, Chinu and an unidentified man allegedly arrived at the centre and picked a quarrel over the allocation of a performance slot.
DySP Dhananjay Patil said, “The accused allegedly abused and threatened the owner of the performance slot, identified as Manisha Dhongde and their workers. They allegedly pushed and assaulted them during the argument.”
Patil said one of the four men then allegedly pulled out a pistol, pointed it at Dhongde and repeatedly threatened to shoot him. The accused allegedly fired when Dhongde moved aside, causing the bullet to miss him. Police have formed teams to nab the accused, he said.
The bullet allegedly hit Firoz Kadir Shaikh (31), a resident of Otur in Junnar, who was present at the spot. He sustained injuries and was taken for medical treatment.
Narayangaon police have registered a case under Sections 109(1), 127(1), 115, 352, 351(2), 351(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 3, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, 1959. Police are investigating the incident and tracing the accused.
