Bhiwandi Taluka police have arrested two accused, Vicky Mhatre and Kalpesh Vaiti, in connection with the brutal murder of BJP leader Praful Tangadi (45) and his cousin Tejas Tangadi (22). The accused were produced before court and remanded to police custody until August 22.
The incident occurred on August 11 when the victims, both involved in the construction business, were returning home after closing their office. Four to five masked men attacked them outside the premises using swords and sharp weapons, leaving both critically injured. Despite being rushed to the hospital by a relative, doctors declared them dead on arrival.
Praful Tangadi, the Thane Rural vice president of BJP Yuva Morcha and head of JDT Enterprises, was a prominent local figure. Police suspect that a long-standing dispute between Praful and Vicky Mhatre, who had allegedly assaulted him two years prior, may have motivated the attack. The victims’ family alleged that earlier police inaction emboldened the attackers.
Senior Police Inspector Harshwardhan Barve confirmed the arrests but declined to share further details. Authorities have stated that additional suspects remain under investigation, and police teams continue their search for the remaining attackers.
