Pune: Love Triangle Leads to Murder at Hinjawadi PG; Accused Arrested Hours After Attack

Pune, 7th August 2026: A 24-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death with an iron rod and a young woman sustained serious injuries in a brutal attack inside a private seven-storey paying guest (PG) accommodation in Hinjawadi on Thursday afternoon, in what police suspect was the fallout of a love triangle.

The deceased has been identified as Sagar Gaikwad, while the injured woman, Nikita Danane, is undergoing treatment at a hospital. Hinjawadi police have arrested the accused, Dinesh Mahadev Zhambare, and registered a case of murder and attempt to murder.

According to the police, Zhambare and Nikita had been in a relationship since their school days. Both later moved to Pune to pursue a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree. During her stay in Pune, Nikita allegedly developed a relationship with Gaikwad, leading to differences between her and Zhambare.

Police said Zhambare, allegedly enraged over the breakup and Nikita’s relationship with Gaikwad, went to the PG accommodation in Hinjawadi on Thursday where the two were present together.

Investigators said Gaikwad had joined the PG as its manager only four days earlier. Nikita had checked into the accommodation on Wednesday night for a month-long stay and had informed the PG management that Gaikwad was her boyfriend. He had allotted her Room No. 310 on the third floor.

On Thursday afternoon, Zhambare arrived at the PG and reportedly told staff that he wanted to meet Gaikwad and claimed that Nikita was his girlfriend. After learning that Gaikwad was on the third floor, he went upstairs.

Within minutes, screams were heard from the floor. PG staff and residents rushed to the room and found Gaikwad lying in a pool of blood while Zhambare was allegedly assaulting him with an iron rod. Police said when those present attempted to intervene, the accused also attacked Nikita, leaving her seriously injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, Gaikwad sustained 13 to 14 blows from the iron rod and died on the spot.

After receiving information about the incident, Hinjawadi police rushed to the scene. The accused initially fled but was arrested later the same night.

Police have booked Zhambare under relevant sections pertaining to murder and attempt to murder. Investigators said they are probing the complete sequence of events and whether there were any other motives behind the attack.