Three robbers murder man, injure wife in Shirur village

Three unidentified armed robbers barged into the house of Mhatu Bajirao Gavade (45) in Tamkarwadi village of Shirur taluka around 2 am yesterday and beat him to death, injured his wife Dhondabai (40) and made away with jewellery worth Rs 36,000.

Victims: The deceased Mhatu Gavade

After the incident, Dhondabai went to a private hospital in the city for treatment. The police said they had detained seven "suspicious" persons so far even as efforts continued to round up more people.

Struck in sleep
Police Inspector Ashok Kshirsagar from the Shirur police station said the Gavades were attacked by the robbers when they were sleeping. u00a0The officer said the couple had turned in for the night after returning from their farm, where they had gone to fetch water.u00a0

Wife Dhondabai

"The robbers started beating the couple with an iron rod and a stick and also stabbed them with a sharp weapon," Kshirsagar said. "Mhatu died on the spot. The robbers later decamped with the jewellery."u00a0The Gavades' son Vaibhav lodged a complaint against unidentified persons at the Shirur police station.u00a0

Motorbikes used
Khirsagar said that villagers saw the robbers leaving on motorbike. "We have detained seven suspicious persons and formed 10 teams to nab the assailants," Kshirsagar said.u00a0