An Indian Oil Corporation Limited sales manager was stabbed to death with a dagger during an operation to seal a retail petrol pump in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district on Tuesday, prompting swift arrests and condemnation from federal energy officials. Mahesh Shelke, 37, died from seven stab wounds inflicted during a heated confrontation at Chondhi village in Vasmat taluka, where local operators resisted the takeover of the outlet.
Fatal Confrontation During Petrol Pump Sealing in Hingoli
Mahesh Shelke arrived at the Chondhi village retail outlet around noon on Tuesday alongside company officials and employees to execute a formal seal and possession order. The location had experienced operational disputes involving the Pandavveer family, who operated the site. Talks extended for hours as family members requested a one-month extension to resume business operations, a request that company representatives rejected.
The situation turned violent when negotiations broke down. According to Hingoli Superintendent of Police Shrenik Lodha, Umesh Pandavveer allegedly pulled a dagger and stabbed Shelke seven times during the altercation. Accomplices at the scene hurled stones to create panic as the engineer suffered grievous injuries. A Kurunda police team led by Assistant Police Inspector Shivaji Puri rushed to the location, but medical personnel at the hospital pronounced Shelke dead upon arrival.
Swift Police Arrests and Murder Charges Filed
Law enforcement authorities filed a formal First Information Report based on a complaint submitted by IndianOil Senior Manager Gullakantla Maniprasad. Police booked five individuals on charges of murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, and violations of the Arms Act. Superintendent Lodha confirmed that all five suspects were taken into custody within 24 hours of the attack.
The arrested individuals include Latabai Pandavveer, 46; her son Umesh Pandavveer, 25; and local acquaintances Shravan Wakude, 21; Rahul Dhayje, 37; and Prathmesh Waghmare, 27. Shelke’s body underwent an autopsy at the Vasmat sub-district hospital before authorities returned it to his grieving family.
Government and IndianOil Demand Accountability for Killing
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri labeled the killing a heinous and unacceptable act of violence.
IndianOil Chairman A S Sahney expressed deep anguish over the loss, stating that the corporate leadership pressed top Maharashtra authorities for swift and stringent accountability. The IndianOil Officers’ Association echoed these demands, calling for a time-bound investigation and asserting that violence against public sector energy personnel performing official duties remains intolerable.
Professional Background of Mahesh Shelke
Mahesh Shelke served as a manager in retail sales within IndianOil’s Nanded office. A mechanical engineering graduate from a college in Pune, he originated from a village located in Ahmedpur taluka of Latur district. Shelke commenced his career with IndianOil in 2014, completing service assignments in southern India before transferring to Maharashtra operations in 2024. He resided with his family in Nanded district for the past two years.
Echoes of Past Energy Sector Tragedies
Industry observers and officer associations noted stark parallels between Shelke’s death and the high-profile 2005 murder of IndianOil sales officer S Manjunath. Manjunath was shot dead in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district after inspecting a petrol pump where fuel irregularities had been uncovered. Both incidents show the severe physical risks field officers encounter when executing regulatory closures and taking over non-compliant retail outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hingoli Incident
What triggered the violent altercation at the Chondhi village petrol pump?
The confrontation erupted after IndianOil officials refused a family’s request for a one-month delay to restart the outlet, choosing instead to proceed with sealing the outlet due to ongoing operational disputes.
Which specific charges were filed against the arrested individuals?
Police registered an FIR under charges of murder, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, and relevant provisions of the Arms Act following a complaint by senior manager Gullakantla Maniprasad.
What professional history did Mahesh Shelke hold with IndianOil?
Shelke worked as a manager in retail sales out of the Nanded office, joined the corporation in 2014 after graduating in mechanical engineering from Pune, and previously completed postings in southern India before moving to Maharashtra in 2024.