Man stabbed to death in Mumbai’s Dombivli for opposing illegal construction by neighbour

Kalyan: A 38-year-old catering businessman was allegedly stabbed to death by his neighbour in Dombivli on Tuesday evening following a dispute over an illegal construction activity, said police. The incident took place in the Khambalpada area of Dombivli. Police said the deceased, Pratap Chaudhary, had objected to an alleged illegal construction being carried out by his neighbour, Ajay Shelar (25). The argument between the two reportedly escalated on Tuesday at 5.30pm, following which Shelar allegedly attacked Chaudhary with a sharp weapon.Chaudhary sustained serious injuries in the attack and collapsed on the spot. Local residents rushed him for medical treatment, where doctors declared him dead.Soon after the incident, the accused fled from the area. Police teams have launched a search operation to trace and arrest him. Senior Police Inspector Vijay Kadam of Tilak Nagar police station said preliminary investigation suggests that the murder was linked to the dispute over the illegal construction work.“Prima facie, it appears that the dispute regarding illegal construction led to the murder. Efforts are underway to trace the accused,” said Kadam.Police have registered a murder case and further investigation is in progress. -- Pradeep Gupta