A long-simmering feud over a food stall and alleged property encroachment ended in a gruesome murder near the Global Pagoda-Essel World Jetty Road on Friday night.
The victim, identified as Dashrath Chavan, 37, ran Sanskar Cafe, a vada pav stall near the Pagoda. Police said Chavan was brutally stabbed to death in full public view around 11.20 pm, allegedly by members of a rival family with whom he had been locked in a bitter dispute for nearly five years.
According to the complaint filed by Chavan’s wife Sangeeta Chavan, rival stall operator Rosebird Miranda, along with her husband Roland Miranda, their daughter Robina Parera, son-in-law Joby Parera, and their driver Pawan Sharma, allegedly surrounded Chavan soon after he resumed work at his previously demolished stall.
Police said Chavan was allegedly held down and stabbed in the chest, stomach, back, head and face with a sharp weapon, even as his wife and staff watched helplessly.
Chavan was rushed to hospital but was declared dead at 12.18 am.
Police sources said that the Miranda family had allegedly encroached upon government land by dumping mangroves and constructing a shop near the Global Pagoda area. Chavan had lodged complaints with the Forest Department as well as the BMC, following which the Miranda family’s structure was demolished.
The Miranda family subsequently complained against Chavan’s stall to the BMC, leading to its demolition as well a few days ago. On Friday night, Chavan had reportedly returned to the spot to rebuild his demolished stall when the Miranda family attacked.
A case has been registered against the Miranda family members, senior inspector Mahesh Nivatkar from Gorai Police station.
