Navi Mumbai bizman stabbed, shot dead on his way home; CCTV captures attack

The attack, which took place in Kamothe as the 35-year-old victim was walking home, went on for over 50 seconds, even as vehicles sped by; family involvement suspected.

A 35-year-old businessman, Shantaram Kutal, was stabbed and shot dead in Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, late on Wednesday. The attack, captured on a CCTV camera installed in a building opposite the pavement where the murder took place, lasted for over 50 seconds, even as vehicles sped by.

The murder took place round 10pm in Kamothe’s sector 6 on Wednesday. (Photo used for representational purpose)

Police officials said Kutal was attacked by two as-yet unidentified men around 10pm in Kamothe’s sector 6, when he was on his way home after closing his shop. The victim, who originally hails from Junnar, had a vehicle battery store at Dudhe Chowk in Kamothe.

“The unidentified attackers first stabbed Kutal and then shot him twice,” said Devidas Sonawane, senior police inspector of Kamothe police station. “He was rushed to MGM hospital in Kamothe, but was declared dead on arrival.”

The footage shows two men approaching Kutal as he is walking on the footpath and hitting him. As he falls down, the duo stabs him and then shoots him. “An eyewitness can also be seen walking on the footpath. He stopped on seeing Kutal being attacked. As the attackers fled, he too went away,” an official said, on condition of anonymity.

Further investigations are underway to determine why he was killed, Sonawane said.

Police sources said they suspect a family member is behind the murder. “Initially, it looked like murder due to business rivalry, but now we are also looking at the family angle,” an official revealed, on condition of anonymity. “The footage has given us vital clues and we will catch the accused soon.”

Officials believe the attackers escaped on a motorcycle.