Tragedy struck in Dharavi, Mumbai, on Sunday night when Arvind Vaishya, a 26-year-old member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was fatally stabbed amidst a local dispute. Vaishya, who lived in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and worked for a medical supplies company, was attempting to mediate a conflict between two groups when the incident occurred. Despite seeking help from nearby police officers, who were following him from a distance of 50 meters, he was attacked and stabbed in the chest, leading to his death.

In the wake of this violent act, the Mumbai Police have taken swift action. Two individuals, Niyaz Sheikh and Aarif, have been arrested under severe charges, including murder, detailed under sections 103(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023. According to an FIR obtained exclusively by OpIndia, several others were involved in the incident, with names such as Yasin, Sher Ali, Shubham, and Jumman mentioned in the document.

The FIR, filed by Vaishya's brother Shailendra, indicates he witnessed the fatal stabbing by Niyaz (also known as Allu) and Arif, who intended to kill his brother. The complaint sheds light on a preceding altercation involving Vaishya’s friend Siddesh and his father, who were allegedly being harassed and assaulted by the same individuals. Unfortunately, Vaishya's attempt to intervene escalated to his own assault and ultimately his death.

The circumstances leading to Arvind Vaishya's untimely death began to unfold on a seemingly ordinary Sunday evening in the bustling neighborhood of Dharavi, Mumbai. According to the police, Vaishya was good friends with Siddhesh Gore, a local cutlery shop owner. On that fateful day, Gore found himself embroiled in a heated argument with Niyaz Islam Shaikh, also known as Allu, along with Allu’s father, Aslam Shaikh, and their friend, Arif Shaikh. The altercation reportedly started over excessive honking near Gore’s shop, which escalated into a physical confrontation. Vaishya, in his ever-peacemaking role, stepped in to defuse the situation but was unfortunately assaulted.

Determined to resolve the issue and seek justice, Vaishya visited the Dharavi police station. He informed the officers about the ongoing conflict and requested their assistance to handle the volatile situation. "Since Vaishya was on a two-wheeler and knew the spot where the fight was taking place, a police team comprising detection officers in plain clothes followed him in a police jeep,” explained a Dharavi police officer. Upon their arrival at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Vaishya dismounted his two-wheeler and ventured into a narrow lane where he encountered Niyaz Shaikh. Intent on exposing Shaikh to the trailing officers, Vaishya’s attempt turned tragic as Shaikh, in a sudden and violent act, pulled out a knife and stabbed Vaishya near his chest.

In a parallel unfolding, Shailendra, Arvind Vaishya’s brother, was alerted about his brother's involvement in the altercation. Despite the chaos, Arvind tried to reassure his brother over a phone call. “I asked Arvind what the matter was. But he said that Siddhesh and his father were being assaulted and threatened and that he had been there to help them. He also informed me that he was going to Dharavi police station to file a report against the accused persons,” Shailendra recollected in the FIR.

The tragic sequence of events in Dharavi reached a critical juncture when Shailendra, Arvind Vaishya's brother, tried to reach the Dharavi Police Station to support his brother. However, his journey was obstructed by two individuals, Saddam and Jumman, who menacingly cautioned him about intervening. “Stop this matter. Otherwise, you know what’ll happen,” they threatened, as recounted in the FIR. Despite the threats, Shailendra managed to arrive at the police station, albeit to the distressing news that his brother and a friend were heading to Rajiv Gandhi Nagar accompanied by the police.

Upon reaching the scene, Shailendra witnessed a horrifying sight: "As soon as I reached the area, I saw Allu and Arif stabbed Arvind in his chest. Arvind and his friend were on the bike followed by a police van. However, the police managed to nab Allu from the spot while Arif attempted to flee seeing the police,” Shailendra recounted. This statement in the FIR provides a direct account of the events that transpired, highlighting the immediate and intense response from the police present at the scene.

In the immediate aftermath of the stabbing, Arvind Vaishya was swiftly transported to Sion Hospital. Tragically, he was declared dead shortly after arrival, a mere ten minutes later. "He had just one stab wound, but it punctured his chest, leading to his death," a police officer reported, underscoring the fatal nature of the attack.

While Niyaz Shaikh, also known as Allu, was apprehended at the location shortly after the attack, his accomplice, Arif Shaikh, initially evaded capture. However, his freedom was short-lived as the Mumbai Police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Tejaswini Satpute, mounted a rigorous two-hour search that ultimately led to his arrest later that Sunday.

The aftermath of Arvind Vaishya's death has sparked significant unrest in Dharavi, with accusations flying and demands for justice rising. Rahul Vaishya, a cousin of the deceased, voiced a severe allegation against the local criminals and the police's role in the tragic event. He claimed that the accused were notorious criminals, often under the influence of drugs, and had been causing trouble in the area for some time. "My brother was killed in front of the police team. The police told us it took time for them to open the door of the police jeep as it was jammed, which led to his death,” Rahul Vaishya explained, suggesting that a delay in police intervention was a contributing factor to Arvind's untimely demise.

Echoing Rahul's sentiments, Rajiv Chaubey, the secretary of the Mumbai division of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, also criticized the police's effectiveness. “The murder took place in front of the police. There is no fear of the police,” he stated, highlighting a perceived lack of authority and control by the local law enforcement.

The community's response to the incident was marked by a visible and vehement protest. Chaubey led a sit-in protest in front of the Dharavi police station on the following Monday, demanding prompt and thorough action against all involved. “There are several accused in the case, although the cops have named and arrested only two persons. We have handed over CCTV footage of the area to them and we want them to arrest all the accused,” he demanded, indicating that the community had provided evidence to aid the police in their investigation.

In response to these serious allegations and the community's outcry, the police have taken formal steps to address the incident. A case has been registered under sections 103(2) (murder) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. An officer from the local police department assured, “We are verifying the role of others and if we find their involvement, we will make further arrests,” signaling an ongoing investigation that could potentially lead to more arrests based on the evidence, including the CCTV footage provided by the community.

In the wake of the tragic stabbing of Arvind Vaishya in Dharavi, his brother Rahul confirmed the distressing circumstances surrounding the incident. In a sorrow-laden voice, Rahul recounted that Arvind had merely intended to assist a friend when he was fatally targeted. "The Police have only booked two persons in the case. But others involved are set free. We want action against all the accused persons involved Yasin, Sher Ali, Niyaz (Allu) and others," he expressed his frustration, underscoring the family's demand for comprehensive legal action against all individuals connected to the attack.

During a phone call, the background noise of the Dharavi Police Station was evident, with audible cries for stringent punishment for the accused, including the already arrested Niyaz and Arif, as well as demands to apprehend Yasin, Sher Ali, Shubham, Saddam, and Jumman. This atmosphere of charged emotions painted a vivid picture of a community united in grief and anger, desperate for justice and answers.

The underlying motivations for the attack remain unclear, shrouded in mystery and the complexities of interpersonal conflicts within the community. The police are continuing their investigation, delving deeper into the incident to uncover the precise reasons behind the violence. This ongoing probe promises to be thorough, as the authorities aim to piece together the events that led to such a devastating outcome.

Tensions Escalate in Dharavi Following Stone Pelting at Arvind Vaishya's Funeral

The community of Dharavi witnessed heightened tensions and unrest on Tuesday, 30th July, during the funeral procession of Arvind Vaishya, an RSS worker who was tragically stabbed to death in the area. The incident, which occurred a day prior, on 29th July, led to widespread outrage among the Hindu community. The crowd, gathering in significant numbers, vocally condemned the actions of the accused, Niyaz Sheikh and Arif, and criticized the police for their handling of the situation.

During the funeral, emotions ran high as slogans were raised against the accused Islamists and the police, with calls for stringent actions to be taken against all involved in the murder. However, the situation escalated when stone pelting began amidst the procession. This incident prompted political figures and various Hindutva organizations, including the BJP, to express their condemnation more vocally.

Kirit Somaiya, a prominent figure, alleged that the stone pelting occurred specifically in Garib Nawaz Nagar during Vaishya's funeral, and he confirmed his presence at the event to underscore the seriousness of the situation. In response to the violence and the general unrest, the police have ramped up security measures in Dharavi, effectively turning the area into a closely monitored zone.

Despite the arrests of Niyaz Sheikh and Arif, who are now facing charges under sections 103(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita, 2023, there is a palpable feeling of dissatisfaction among the protesters. The FIR named additional individuals—Yasin, Sher Ali, Shubham, and Jumman—yet the community and groups like the Bajrang Dal have voiced concerns over what they perceive as a lack of comprehensive action, noting that while seven individuals were reportedly involved, charges have been filed against only two.

Amid these tensions, BJP MLA Prasad Lad has called for an impartial inquiry into the incident, emphasizing the need for broader investigations into the local issues of land mafia, drug smuggling, and the presence of anti-social elements in Dharavi.