Pimpri-Chinchwad: Dighi Murder Linked To Argument Over Financial Dispute, Police Say Accused & Victim Were Friends

Dighi: On Wednesday afternoon, a gym trainer and his business partner murdered a man with an iron rod in broad daylight. This incident happened in front of a protein powder shop co-owned by both accused. Police have started an investigation, which has revealed that both the accused and the deceased knew each other and were friends. However, recently, they had a dispute due to financial reasons.

The deceased has been identified as Gopinath aka Lalla Varpe (age 36, resident of Wadmukhwadi). Police have arrested Yash Patole (age 25, resident of Dudulgaon) and Pranjal Taware (age 22, resident of Charholi). Police sources told The Free Press Journal that the accused Taware and the deceased Varpe had a friendly relationship until very recently. However, a financial dispute arose between the two. Police sources believe that Taware took money from Varpe, and he was demanding it back. Both had multiple arguments before.

Both the accused worked as gym trainers at Rockfit Fitness Hub Gym in the Charholi Phata area. They also owned a protein powder shop as a side business. On Wednesday afternoon, Varpe came to the shop and demanded money from Taware. In the heat of the moment, both the accused and the victim had a scuffle. The scuffle ended badly, as an iron rod was used to attack the victim. He was hit on the head and body, which seriously injured him. He was taken to the hospital but died before treatment.

The accused had run away at first, but the police detained them and have registered a case of murder and common intention. Police officials are now digging into the exact reason which caused the accused to attack the victim and whether there was any love triangle angle in this fight.

Senior Police Inspector Bapu Dhere, in charge of the Dighi Police Station, told The Free Press Journal, "The accused were arrested on Wednesday evening. A case has been registered against them. They were produced in court this morning. The court has given them four days of police custody. We are investigating the matter further."