Eatery owner, worker attacked; accused opens fire

Pune: A 41-year-old eatery owner and his worker were injured after five men allegedly attacked them with a billhook and opened fire at them at Kodawadi Phata in Rajgad taluka, around 50km from Pune, on Sunday night. The victims escaped bullet injuries, but the attackers vandalised the eatery before fleeing.

“The eatery owner sustained billhook injuries on his forehead and left thigh, while the worker suffered a facial injury,” Pune Rural superintendent of police Sandeep Singh Gill said.

The Pune Rural police arrested Omkar Ingulkar (19) and Vishal Ingulkar (24), both residents of Surwad village in Rajgad taluka, under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 189, 191 (rioting) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.

“We have identified the main accused and other accomplices. They will be arrested soon,” Gill said.

The eatery owner, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Nasrapur, lodged a complaint with the Velha police.

An officer from Pune Rural police said the dispute began around two months ago when the accused allegedly visited the eatery around 11pm and demanded food. “As it was late, the complainant refused to serve them. The accused then ransacked the eatery,” the officer said.

The officer added that the next day, the main accused apologised and promised compensation for the damage, but never paid. On Sunday around 10pm, the accused allegedly returned with accomplices, opened fire at the victims, assaulted them with a billhook, damaged a scooter parked outside and fled after vandalising the eatery, the police said.