Ulwe police on Saturday arrested two men for allegedly murdering their building’s security guard following a verbal spat after midnight. The incident unfolded because the guard refused to open the main gate for them late at night.
According to Senior Inspector Arjun Rajane of Ulwe, the victim was identified as Uday Saud, the security guard. The accused have been named as Rushikesh Ranjane, an estate agent, and Suraj Ratanlal, a labourer. Both lived in a rented fourth‑floor apartment in Vrindavan Pride society, Sector 25, Ulwe.
Inspector Rajane explained that the accused had been returning home after playing garba at a Navratri Utsav mandal, despite the event’s official 10 pm deadline. The society had instituted a rule of locking the main gate at midnight to deter late entries.
Around 1:30 am on Saturday, the duo returned and found the gate locked from inside by Saud. They shouted for it to be opened, but when the guard delayed, tensions escalated. The guard finally opened the gate; at that moment, an argument erupted. Saud is said to have struck Ranjane with the gate lock. In response, Ranjane produced a knife and stabbed Saud in the stomach. The two then fled the scene.
Police arrived quickly on receiving the report and rushed Saud to a hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
Using CCTV footage and statements from building residents, the police identified the suspects. Through technical tracing, the accused were located in New Panvel and apprehended within 10 hours. The court has remanded them to custody until October 10 as the investigation continues.
