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Wife alleges murder driven by hatred for his staunch Hindu beliefs
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4 jihadis arrested
Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra – Dhiraj Pardeshi, an employee of the Municipal Corporation’s electricity department, was brutally attacked by religious fanatics in the Mukundnagar area on 7 August. The incident occurred while Dhiraj Pardeshi was working on the Municipal Corporation’s street lights. Severely injured in the attack, Dhiraj Pardeshi succumbed to his injuries during treatment on 9 August.
Maharashtra: Contract worker Dheeraj Pardeshi dies after a Muslim mob attack in Ahilyanagar.https://t.co/syWW7gdiOZ
Pardeshi’s family says he was killed for wearing a Tilak, supporting Hindutva; police say the probe is on. pic.twitter.com/LpwZnbCVpT— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) August 11, 2026
After assaulting Dhiraj Pardeshi, three of the main accused — Mehraj Sayyed, Siraj Sayyed, and Mustakim Sayyed boarded a train and went into hiding in Hyderabad. They were arrested with the assistance from the Hyderabad City Police task force. The police have also arrested the fourth accused Yunus Sheikh from Ahilyanagar.
In protest against the incident, workers of ‘Sakal Hindu Samaj’ staged a sit-in demonstration outside the hospital and called for a ‘Nagar Bandh’. Markets and shops were immediately shut down thereafter. Municipal Corporation employees have also declared an indefinite strike from 10 August in protest against the incident. “Until all the accused in this case are arrested, the entire functioning of the Municipal Corporation will remain shut,” the workers’ organisation has declared. Leaving aside essential services of the entire city, 80 per cent of civic amenities have been kept closed.
What exactly happened?
Work on an electric pole was underway in a cemetery. At this time, a mob of religious extremists launched a brutal attack on Dhiraj Pardeshi, a contractual employee of the Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation’s electricity department. In this attack, Dhiraj sustained serious injuries on his head and body. After assaulting Dhiraj, the accused fled.
Dhiraj’s wife alleges murder driven by hatred for his strong Hindutva beliefs
Dhiraj was a hardcore Hindutva activist. His wife has alleged that he was murdered out of hatred for this. Family members have also warned the administration that his last rites will be performed at the very place where he was attacked.
NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap alleges funding of Jihad from Mukundnagar area
NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap has levelled a serious allegation of funding of jihad from the Mukundnagar and Gulmohar areas. He demanded that the main conspirators of this incident be investigated and strict action taken.
Will not allow last rites without arrest of the accused – MLA Sangram Jagtap’s warning
Dhiraj Pardeshi’s body was taken to the hospital for post-mortem on 9 August; however, MLA Sangram Jagtap warned that last rites would not be allowed without the arrest of the main accused. He also warned, “If the main accused is not arrested, I will place the body directly at the Police Superintendent’s office on 10 August.” Till the time this report was filed, Dhiraj Pardeshi’s body had not been taken for last rites.
Hindu organisations warn of bandh
Various Hindu organisations have strongly condemned the brutal killing and warned of a bandh. During the bandh announcement, heated exchanges took place between Hindu activists and the police. After Dhiraj’s death, an atmosphere of tension has developed in the city. A large police force and a contingent of the State Reserve Police have been deployed in the city to maintain law and order.
Administration issues encroachment notices to the houses of the accused
The accused in this case were produced in court late on the night of 9 August. After the hearing, the court granted 10 days’ police custody to the three accused. MLA Sangram Jagtap, MLA Akshay Kardile and Hindu organisations have demanded bulldozer action in the village of the accused. The Gram Panchayat administration has issued encroachment notices to the houses of Mustakim Sayyed, Mehraj Sayyed and Siraj Sayyed located in Nagadevle. The notice mentions that the constructions are unauthorised on land within the Gram Panchayat limits and on vacant space.
