05 August,2011 07:17 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
25-year-old jobless man goes after kin of Abhay Chhajed with chopper at his house, injures 3; attacker overpowered by leader's son, handed over to cops
When Nirmala Mahendra Chhajed, sister-in-law of Abhay Chhajed, who is city chief of the Congress, stepped out of her house to visit a temple, little did she know that enquiring the well-being of a youth known to the family would elicit a violent response. Not only Nirmala, but the entire Chhajed family was at the receiving end of an unemployed youth's ire last morning, when he injured two members of the family and their priest with a chopper.
Abhay Chhajed's father Bhagchand and sister-in-law Nirmala Chhajed,
both of whom were injured. pics/Krunal Gosavi
"I will kill you all, you have destroyed me," were the words of the attacker, identified as Ankit Chhajed (25). Abhay Chhajed's son Anuj was instrumental in stopping the attacker and preventing further injuries to the family members. "It was because of my son Anuj's intervention that the attacker could be stopped and handed over to the police," said Abhay Chhajed, city chief, Congress.
Man depressed: Cop
DCP Dnyaneshwar Phadtare said: "Ankit Chhajed a is native of Vapi in Gujarat and was working with a software company in the city. He had recently lost his job. We suspect he did this because of depression." The police said Ankit was from the same community as the Chhajeds and was a native of Vapi, Gujarat. He had come to the city in search of a job.
Family drama: Nirmala Mahendra Chhajed is attacked by Ankit Chhajed
hearing her screams Abhay Chhajed's son and father Bhagchand come
to the spot
Attacking spree
Yesterday, around 11 am Nirmala Chhajed was walking towards the temple close to her house, when she met Ankit and asked him about his well-being. But he suddenly brandished a chopper and rushed towards her.
Followed by family priest Dipak Kshirsagar and the pet dog
"It all happened when I heard my aunt's screams while I was having breakfast in the living room," said Anuj. "As I rushed outside, I saw this person and noticed that my aunt had fallen down. I told him to stop. Meanwhile, my grandfather (Bhagchand Chhajed) stepped in and he (Ankit) attacked him on the right hand. On hearing the ruckus, my mother (Mrunalini) stepped outside. The person charged towards her wielding a chopper.
Anuj finally manages to overpower the assailant Illustration: Jishu Dev
Malakar
I realised he meant to attack her and held his hands. Our priest (Dipak Kshirsagar) intervened, but he attacked him also. I asked my mom to go inside and lock the door. Then all three went inside and my mother informed the police," said Anuj.
In the attack, Abhay Chhajed's father Bhagchand and sister-in-law Nirmala were injured.
The family priest who tried to intervene was also hurt. Even the family dog, which got entangled in the scuffle, was injured.
Known to family
Ankit had visited the Chhajed family one-and-a-half month ago. "He was working with a software company then. He had come to meet us and he touched my feet. He had food with us. He had come to our residence just once. I was not aware that he had lost his job," said Abhay Chhajed.u00a0
Anuj said his aunt had recognised Ankit while on her way to the temple. "My aunt was present when he had come to our house, so she recognised him and asked him about his well being, but instead of answering her, he attacked her," said Anuj.
