Daijiworld Media Network – Jalna

Jalna, Oct 25: Jalna city has been gripped by anger and apprehension after a 25-year-old youth, Vikas Londhe, was brutally beaten to death by a gang of rowdy youths late on the night of October 24. The incident, coming days after another high-profile assault in the city, has raised serious questions about law-and-order and police effectiveness.

According to locals, Vikas — the son of social worker Prakash Londhe — had returned home to Nutan Vasahat after leaving a relative’s wedding function. Between 12.00 and 12.30 am on October 24, a group of unruly youths stopped him a short distance from his house and demanded why he posted videos of public figures on social media. When Vikas replied it was his hobby, the attackers began mercilessly battering him. Witnesses said the gang struck him with sticks and an iron rod, leaving him gravely injured.

Neighbours and Vikas’s parents rushed to the spot when they heard the commotion, but by then the assailants had fled. Locals pulled the severely injured youth out from under the vehicle and rushed him first to the District Hospital, and because his condition was critical he was shifted to the government hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for advanced treatment. Doctors began emergency care, but Vikas succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

A friend of the deceased told reporters that he recorded the attack on his mobile phone and has provided the names of the accused. Demands for strict and swift action against the attackers have been raised by family members and local residents. On learning of her son’s death, Vikas’s mother collapsed in shock and the news spread rapidly across the city, drawing large crowds to the scene.

Police officials visited the spot early on Saturday morning and began a formal panchanama at around 8 am; a forensic team was also deployed to collect evidence. The accused, described by residents as habitual criminals, remain at large according to local reports, and citizens are pressing the police to arrest them and ensure exemplary punishment. Authorities have seized the initial statements and are examining the mobile footage provided by witnesses. Police are also investigating whether there were prior provocations and are probing the identities of those involved.

Local activists and leaders have sharply criticized the police response. Social worker groups and the family have demanded immediate arrests. Sanjeev Gaikwad, founder-president of Lahu Shakti Sena, levelled a fierce warning at the state Home Minister and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding urgent action to curb rising crime in Jalna and saying the situation will not be tolerated unless law-and-order is restored.

The tragic killing has reignited public debate in Jalna about escalating violent crime — assaults, robberies and public beatings — and has left many residents questioning whether the police are doing enough to protect citizens. Investigations are ongoing and police have promised to bring the perpetrators to book at the earliest.