Pune: Four Suspects Detained In Shirgaon Sarpanch Murder Case
Maval, 2nd April 2023: Pravin Sahebrao Gopale, the Sarpanch of Shirgaon Gram Panchayat in Maval taluka, was brutally murdered by three persons on Saturday night (1st April) at around 9.30 pm. The incident occurred in front of the Prati Shirdi temple in Shirgaon and was caught on CCTV. Many people witnessed the incident as well.
Pimpri Chinchwad police have detained four suspects in connection with this murder, and a thorough investigation is underway. Due to this incident, Shirgaon was closed today. Gopale’s relatives refused to take possession of the body until the accused were arrested, causing a tense atmosphere in front of the Shirgaon-Parandwadi police station this morning.
Eventually, the relatives of Gopale took possession of the dead body after four people were detained. In a tense atmosphere, Gopale’s funeral was held at the village crematorium around 12.30 pm. A large number of villagers, relatives, friends, and political party members were present.
According to eyewitnesses, while Gopale was sitting on his two-wheeler on the side of the road in front of the Saibaba temple on Saturday night, two people on a bike came and looked at him. Then, three people on the same bike arrived and stabbed Gopale from behind. Gopale ran away on the road to avoid the attacks, but the three chased him and knocked him down at some distance. They then severely hit him on the face and head, leading to his death due to massive bleeding.
The police are investigating whether the attack was politically or commercially motivated. Pravin Gopale was recently elected as the Sarpanch of Shirgaon a few months ago, and he also owned a plotting business. At first glance, the police suspect that the murder was due to a business dispute, but parallel investigations are underway at all levels. The faces of the killers are expected to be revealed soon.
Maval MLA Sunil Shelke expressed concern that if people’s representatives are being killed on the streets, how can they work in social life? He also said that the punishment for Pravin’s killers will be a tribute to him.
