Maharashtra Congress leader Hidayat Patel dies after being stabbed in Akola

“He had fled to the jungle in the nearby area, following which nearly 40 policemen were sent to track him down. Eventually, he was found around 8.30 pm yesterday, following which he was placed under arrest. He will be produced before the court today for seeking his custody,” Chandok said.

During his initial interrogation, Ubed told the police that, although both families were known to each other, Hidayat had never allowed his family to prosper or to get any of their work done. “He also blamed Hidayat for the murder of his uncle Mateen Patel in 2019 on account of political rivalry,” the officer said.

The police are interrogating him further to determine the immediate provocation and whether it was linked to the local body polls.

After being stabbed, Hidayat managed to walk by himself, and was taken to the local hospital. However, after his condition deteriorated during the day, a green corridor was set up and he was brought to Akola, an officer said.

He suffered a minor heart attack during treatment, following which he passed away Wednesday morning, the officer added.

A police officer said Hidayat Patel was not directly involved in the local polls, and that the attack took place in Akot, a rural area not under the civic body’s purview.

The Akot Nagar Palika elections were held in the first round of polls last month.