⭕ Pathardi Road Murder Shocks the City
By | Sandeep Dwivedi
Nashik: City is in the grip of an escalating crime crisis, with brutal murders, gang clashes, and violent attacks shaking public confidence in law and order. Just 12 hours after the shocking Satpur murder case, another killing on Pathardi Road has left the city reeling. A young man, Asif Khan, was brutally stabbed to death inside a café by a group of assailants. Chilling CCTV footage revealed four to five attackers striking fearlessly in public, while police later detained six suspects. The murder sparked outrage, with relatives staging protests, forcing Indiranagar Police to issue warnings against large gatherings.
⭕ Back-to-Back Murders in 24 Hours
Barely a day before this incident, another youth, Jagdish Wankhede, was murdered at the Carbon Naka bus stop in Shramik Nagar following a heated argument. Six people were detained in that case as well, highlighting how quickly disputes in Nashik are escalating into deadly violence. In another disturbing case from Panchavati, eleven people were arrested for an attempted murder when a feud spiraled into a violent shooting. The victim was shot near his left eye and narrowly survived. Adding to the city’s horror, three minors killed a beggar in the Thakkar Bazaar area, allegedly because he “bothered” a girl they knew. The boys crushed him with a cement block.
⭕ Crime Data Paints a Grim Picture
These are not isolated incidents. Data shows a sharp rise in violent crimes across Nashik over the past two years. Murders increased from around 30 in 2022 to nearly 42 in 2023, while crimes such as loot, rape, chain-snatching, and extortion also surged. According to reports, more than 211 murders have been recorded in the city over the last six years, with around 27 already reported this year up to August. Juvenile crime is another rising concern, as minors are increasingly involved in violent offenses including murder. Experts warn that many of these acts stem from trivial disputes or a desire to show dominance, amplified by the easy availability of weapons.
⭕ Police Efforts vs Public Anger
While Nashik Police emphasize their improved detection rate—solving nearly 65% of the 2,968 cases registered up to September 2025, compared to 59% in 2024—residents remain deeply dissatisfied. Citizens allege that despite arrests, police have failed to prevent crimes from happening in the first place. Many are now demanding the transfer of Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, citing an alarming lack of control over the situation. The perception that Nashik Police are bowing before criminals has only deepened the sense of fear.
⭕ City at a Crossroads
Nashik today stands at a crossroads. On one side, police efforts such as wider CCTV coverage and special crime units have helped boost investigation success. On the other side, the sheer frequency of murders, rapes, lootings, and kidnappings has left residents living in constant dread. Public anger is mounting, and unless swift and visible action is taken—such as strengthening street-level policing, cracking down on juvenile crime, and rebuilding public trust—fear and lawlessness risk becoming the new normal in one of Maharashtra’s most important cities.
