Praful Balakrishna Patil, a businessman, aged 30, resident of Shahu Nagar is the victim, who was shot by an unknown assailants on the outskirts of Ganeshpur at Biligundi village, located in the Belagavi district, on January 10.
In the early hours of Friday, a group of attackers open fired on an individual, a rowdy sheeter cum realtor at Hindu Road in Ganeshpur, when he was returning from Maharashtra. Praful Patil was travelling from Belagavi to Biligundi when he was attacked and the shots were fired at his car.
The offender obstructed Praful Patil’s car in the middle of the road, fired two rounds at the vehicle, then escaped from the accident scene.
However, Praful Patil survived the deadly attack with only minor injuries to his face. The car’s window glass was damaged, and the glass pieces injured his face and head while one of the bullets passed scratched his cheek.
Praful Patil, the businessman, was taken to a private hospital for treatment. As per the police report, he is out of danger now. The police are investigating the case, and Belagavi City commissioner police Lada Martin Mabaniang visited the hospital and also inspected the car, which was parked in front of the hospital.
A team of officials, under the leadership of Rohan Jagadesh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, city commissioner police Lada Martin Mabaniang, accompanied by other senior officials visited the spot where the incident took place and carried out detailed information of the area to collect evidence. A case was registered at the Belagavi (Rural) police station, and the police are investigating to determine the true reason behind the attack.
According to police sources, there are more than 13 cases against rowdy-sheeter Praful Patil for various illegal activities, including running gambling and matka centres. He is also involved in the real estate business in the city.
Top cop Marbaniang stated that the incident occurred at 3 am and Patil is under observation.” We suspect old rivalry behind this attack, and some of the names of old rowdy-sheeters are emerging in connection with this case. We will conduct a thorough investigation.”
On June 16,2024, Patil has been involved in 18 cases and was arrested six months ago for attempting to murder Raju Kadolkar. He was released on bail and had been exiled by the police for six months before he returned recently. The police believe that the shooting may be connected to an old rivalry.
Furthermore, the police commissioner also stated that no formal complaint had been registered and the investigation is actively progressing.
He stated that,” We received information about firing incident. He has a criminal history and has returned after his externment. Recently, he was released from a case. We are investigating from all possible angles.”