Overview
- Investigators in rural Pune say preliminary evidence points to a fatal quarrel in a drunken state, not a hate-motivated attack.
- West Bengal leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, allege a hate crime and demand immediate arrests and exemplary punishment.
- Police have registered a murder case, detained two locals including a minor, and are reviewing CCTV showing the victim arguing with two men before the assault.
- A postmortem found Sukhen Dhiren Mahato, 24, died from a severe head injury after his body was discovered on February 10 in Koregaon Bhima.
- The victim’s brother filed the FIR, and TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee met the family, urging swift prosecution and opposition to bail as the investigation continues.