Daijiworld Media Network - Hingoli
Hingoli, Oct 7: An Indian Oil official was allegedly stabbed to death following a dispute over the sealing of a petrol pump in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, police said.
Mahesh Shelke, a sales manager with Indian Oil, was allegedly stabbed seven times by the son of the petrol pump operator following a heated argument on Tuesday evening.
Shelke and his team had arrived to seal an Indian Oil petrol pump in Chondhi, which had remained shut for three months due to technical issues. The family of petrol pump operator Sahebrao Pandavveer reportedly sought a month’s time to restart the outlet, but the officials refused, leading to an argument.
During the dispute, Pandavveer’s son Umesh allegedly attacked Shelke with a knife, stabbing him multiple times. Shelke suffered injuries to his abdomen, back and face and died at the spot.
CCTV footage reportedly showed the accused and others fleeing the scene in a car. Police have launched a search for Umesh Pandavveer, while a murder case has been registered at Kurunda police station.
Indian Oil chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney condemned the attack and said Shelke was killed while discharging his official duties. He said the company had taken up the matter with senior authorities in Maharashtra and sought swift and stringent action against those responsible.
“Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of our colleague, Shri Mahesh Shelke, who was fatally attacked while discharging his official duties in Hingoli, Maharashtra. I strongly condemn this heinous act,” Sahney said, adding that IndianOil stood firmly with Shelke’s family.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also condemned the killing as a “shocking” and “unacceptable act of violence”. He said Shelke was part of a team carrying out the takeover of an Indian Oil retail outlet in Hingoli district when he was attacked with a sharp weapon.
Puri expressed condolences to Shelke’s family and assured them of support from the petroleum ministry and Indian Oil. He said the matter had been taken up with senior officials of the Maharashtra government and police to ensure swift and strict action against those responsible.
“The safety, dignity, and security of our energy-sector personnel, who work tirelessly to serve the nation, remain paramount,” Puri said.