Nitesh Rane group’s ward president killed

A ward president of Swabhiman Sanghatana, an organisation led by state revenue minister Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh, was stabbed to death near his Dadar residence on Thursday morning. HT reports

A ward president of Swabhiman Sanghatana, an organisation led by state revenue minister Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh, was stabbed to death near his Dadar residence on Thursday morning.

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Police suspect Devendra Todankar (36), president of ward no 184, was killed over a television cable connection distribution row.

At 11.30 pm, Todankar was returning to his flat at Swarjya Cooperative Housing Society when four unidentified men attacked him with daggers and choppers.

He suffered severe injuries on his head, chest and abdomen, said Madhukar Sankhe, assistant commissioner of police.

A woman, who resides in the same area, saw Tondarkar on the road and with help from neighbours rushed him to KEM Hospital. But he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said after getting a licence, Todankar set up his own television cable business, which did not go down well with the unlicenced operators in the area. They also had several altercations, police said.

Todankar’s family told the police that last week during a building committee meeting, all members objected to Todankar taking over the cable connection distribution business from the existing operators.

“They warned him to stay away from the business but he never took the threats seriously,” said Prakash, his brother.

“We have the names of those suspected to be involved in the murder, but are yet to arrest them. Some have also gone into hiding,” said senior police inspector Ashok Unde of the Dadar police station.

Tondankar had several cases, including attempt to murder, registered against him. Nitesh said, “Todankar was with us for the past four years. It appears he was murdered because of personal enmity over cable connection distribution.”