A 31-year-old tribal resident was allegedly murdered inside Vanichapada hamlet in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-wildlife-aarey-deer-killed-by-stray-dogs-wildlife-experts-flag-growing-threat-near-sgnp-23630165" rel="nofollow">Aarey Milk Colony</a> on Wednesday night after a 42-year-old rickshaw driver allegedly slit his throat with a kitchen knife before fleeing into the adjoining forest. The accused was later tracked down by local residents and arrested, while police continue to investigate the motive behind the killing.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Aarey-man-1_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Brutal attack inside tribal hamlet Residents of Vanichapada were left shocked after Bhimraj Omprakash Sharma, a rickshaw driver who had been living in the hamlet for nearly a decade, allegedly attacked Vikas Ashok Bhusare with a kitchen knife on Wednesday night. Bhusare, who belonged to an indigenous tribal family, had lived in the pada since birth. Illustrations/Uday Mohite
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Aarey-man-2_e.jpg" alt="" />Panic spreads as victim collapses Moments after the attack, Bhusare collapsed on the ground with severe neck injuries as blood oozed from his throat, triggering panic across the tribal settlement. Locals rushed to help the injured man while others alerted nearby residents and contacted police and emergency services.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Aarey-man-3_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Villagers launch forest hunt After allegedly carrying out the attack, Sharma escaped into the dense forest adjoining the hamlet in an attempt to evade arrest. Residents familiar with the forest terrain formed search teams and combed the area, while updates about his movements were circulated through the local village <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/this-whatsapp-chat-group-saves-lives-23586541" rel="nofollow">WhatsApp group.</a>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/may/Aarey-man-4_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
WhatsApp alert helps corner accused Villagers rushed towards the edge of the settlement after a WhatsApp message claimed the accused had emerged from the forest nearby. Residents surrounded Sharma before police arrived. According to locals, he was still carrying the sharp weapon when officers persuaded him to surrender and took him into custody.
Case snapshot
Victim: Vikas Ashok Bhusare, 31 Accused: Bhimraj Omprakash Sharma, 42 Location: Vanichapada, Aarey Milk Colony Offence registered under: BNS 103 Date: May 13, 2026 Police arrival: Around 8.30 pm Arrest made: Around 10.30 pm

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai Crime News / Article / Aarey’s deadly night: Blood trails and WhatsApp alerts lead to accused’s arrest