A divorce dispute turned violent in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district after a man allegedly went to his in-laws’ house with a knife when his demands to withdraw the divorce proceedings and send his wife back with him were refused.
The accused, identified as Shahnawaz Hussain Sheikh Jameer, allegedly attacked his wife’s two brothers and a friend who attempted to intervene during the confrontation at the family’s home in Ballarpur on Tuesday evening.
All three sustained serious injuries. The two brothers, 23-year-old Ayan Beg and 21-year-old Mussavir Beg, suffered severe injuries and were referred to Chandrapur for further medical treatment.
Shahnawaz allegedly escaped from the spot on an Activa following the attack but was later arrested by Ballarpur police.
According to the information available, Saniya Mirza married Shahnawaz in 2021. The couple reportedly began experiencing marital differences soon after their marriage, following which Saniya returned to her father’s house in Ballarpur along with their son.
A case had been registered against Shahnawaz in Chandrapur, while their divorce proceedings are currently pending in court.
On September 1, at around 6.30 pm, Shahnawaz allegedly arrived at his in-laws’ house in the Vishwashanti Chowk area of Teacher Colony in Buddh Nagar Ward on an Activa, accompanied by another young man.
The man accompanying him reportedly stayed outside while Shahnawaz entered the house.
According to the allegations, Shahnawaz demanded that his in-laws withdraw the divorce case and send Saniya back with him.
Her father reportedly told him that the matter was already before the court and that Saniya should be allowed to make her own decision. An argument then allegedly broke out between them.
During the dispute, Shahnawaz allegedly held his wife by the hand and attempted to take her away.
Her brothers objected and tried to prevent him from doing so.
Shahnawaz allegedly abused the brothers and threatened to kill them before taking out a knife from his pocket.
He allegedly attacked Ayan Beg first, seriously injuring him on the head and abdomen.
Shahnawaz then allegedly turned the knife on his other brother-in-law, Mussavir Beg.
When Tajkhan Pathan attempted to intervene and stop the assault, he was also injured in the hand with the knife.
After allegedly attacking the three men, Shahnawaz fled the scene on his Activa.
The injured victims, who were reportedly covered in blood, were taken to the government hospital in Ballarpur for treatment.
Following initial medical care, Ayan and Mussavir were referred to Chandrapur after their condition was described as serious.
Ballarpur police reached the location after receiving information about the incident and launched an investigation.
A police team led by officer-in-charge Bipin Ingle, Assistant Police Inspector Madan Divte and Police Sub-Inspector Gajanan Doiphode, among others, took charge of the probe.
Police later arrested Shahnawaz Hussain Sheikh Jameer in connection with the alleged attack.
Further investigation into the incident is being carried out by Ballarpur police.
