Pune: Hotel Owner Fatally Stabbed by Waiter Over Unpaid Wages; Police Probe Shocks Pune Community
Kondhe-Dhawade,27th August 2025: A gruesome late-night confrontation over unpaid wages ended in tragedy when a waiter allegedly stabbed his employer to death at Peacock Garden & Restaurant on NDA Road near Kondhwe-Dhawade. The incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday, sparking outrage among residents and raising serious questions about workplace disputes in the hospitality sector.
According to Uttamnagar police, the victim has been identified as Santosh Shetty (44), the owner of the restaurant. The accused, Umesh Dilip Giri (39), had been employed at the establishment for several months.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Giri demanded his pending salary, which Shetty reportedly refused to pay. The argument quickly escalated, and in a fit of rage, Giri allegedly picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed Shetty multiple times inside the restaurant premises.
Shetty suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed during treatment. Police immediately arrested Giri and registered a case of murder.
Senior officers confirmed that the probe is ongoing to ascertain if there were any prior disputes or additional factors behind the attack. Authorities stated that statements of staff and witnesses are being recorded to reconstruct the chain of events.
