Elderly farmer killed over dispute about IPL match in Kolhapur

The incident took place around 9.45 pm on March 27 when the match between MI and SRH was being played. Tibile, who was admitted to state-run Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital (CPRH) in Kolhapur after the incident on March 27, passed away on Sunday evening. The two accused Balwant Zanjage (55) and his nephew Sagar Zanjage (39), who were earlier booked for attack with dangerous means, now face murder charges.

The two accused Balwant Zanjage (55) and his nephew Sagar Zanjage (39), were the victim’s neighbours. (Photo: Express News Service)

“Tibile family and Zanjage family have been neighbours for years and even share a wall of their houses. The deceased and two accused were friends. The incident took place when these people from some neighbouring houses had gathered to watch the IPL match at the house of another neighbour Shivaji Gaikwad,” said Inspector Kishor Shinde, in-charge of Karvir police station.

According to the FIR filed by Tibile’s brother Sanjay, “When Rohit Sharma got out in the match, Balwant Zanjage and my brother Bandopant had an argument over what would happen in the match. At this point, Shivaji Gaikwad told them not to fight. At the time, I was taking a walk in the alley after dinner. At this point Balwant went into his house and returned with his nephew Sagar. Balwant was holding a wooden stick and Sagar a plank. They hit my brother with the stick and plank on the head and shoulder. My brother collapsed on the ground bleeding profusely from the head. We then took him to the hospital.”

Tibile’s family members initially took him to a private hospital in Kolhapur and later to CPRH. “After the incident, we arrested Balwant and Sagar. After Tibile’s death on Sunday, they have been charged with murder,” an officer said.

Officials said that Tibile is survived by his wife, three daughters, a son, their families, his three brothers and their families.