Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a shocking incident, a doctor was threatened at gunpoint and attacked with a sharp-edged knife by a gang attempting to illegally seize his farmland in Wadadgaon Shivar.
Incident Details
On February 2, 2025, Dr. Yogesh Maher, who owns a plot of land in Wadadgaon, was approached by a group of individuals who had been involved in an ongoing land dispute. The property had been contested after Radhesham Jhunjhunwala, prior to his death, executed a sale deed in favor of Abhishek Jaiswal, leading to a legal battle. The court had ordered the status quo to be maintained regarding the land.
When Dr. Maher and his family visited the farmland, Mujahid Naser Khan, Dnyaneshwar Jagdale, Shahin Pathan, and a group of 15 individuals arrived at the site. They threatened Dr. Maher, claiming ownership of the land and demanding that he vacate the premises. As Dr. Maher attempted to call the police, one of the accused lunged at him with a sharp-edged knife. Fortunately, Dr. Maher managed to escape the attack.
Gunpoint Threat and Police Intervention
During the altercation, Mujahid Khan pointed a pistol at Dr. Maher’s forehead, threatening him to leave the land. The situation escalated, but before the accused could make their escape, Satara police arrived at the scene. Mujahid Khan, who was attempting to flee, handed the pistol over to one of his accomplices. However, the police managed to apprehend him along with the weapon.
Charges Filed Against the Accused
Following the incident, Inspector Sangram Tathe of the Satara police registered serious charges against the accused under various sections, including:
- Attempted murder
- Rioting
- Unlawful assembly
- Arms Act
- Maharashtra Police Act
Land Mafia Activities in the Region
The incident highlights the growing problem of land mafia gangs in the region. Recently, several cases have been reported involving illegal land seizures and extortion:
- January 8, 2025: A case was registered against seven individuals, including a relative of an MLA, for attempting to seize land from its rightful owner at Mukundwadi police station.
- January 11, 2025: A gang attempted to illegally seize land worth crores at Kalda Corner by constructing on it without permission.
- Eight months ago: A case was filed at Chikalthana police station regarding the illegal grabbing of a woman’s land in Deolai Shivar.
The authorities have taken action against the growing land mafia, but the rising incidents indicate that the problem continues to plague the area.
