An argument over public smoking led to the murder of a youth in Maharashtra's Pune on Saturday. According to reports, the victim identified as Ranjit Rathod lost his life in an altercation outside a pan shop in the late hours.
Ranjit Rathod reached the crime scene at Mahalaxmi Nagar of the city to buy cigarettes, media reports said. Meanwhile, two women were smoking at the premises of the same store. The man reportedly stared at the women which triggered them. The two friends identified as Savita Sayre and Jayashree Panjhade reportedly questioned Rathod which led to a heated argument between the two parties.
In the heat of the moment, Jayashree blew smoke on the man's face and abused him, NDTV said in a report. Rathod, from his side, made videos of him getting abused. Further agitated, 30-year-old Jayashree phoned and summoned her friend Akash Raut to the spot, the news report added.
The pan shop owner, witnessing the situation getting out of hand, closed down and left.
Raut reportedly reached the pan shop with a bunch of men who ganged up on Rathod and stabbed him multiple times. Although he was rushed to hospital, his life couldn't be saved. The crime was fully captured in a CCTV in the area.
Jayashree, Akash and Savita were arrested by the police and further investigation is on.
