Fruit vendor dies in debt dispute

City News Mumbai/Gani Khan

Bhiwadi. In a dispute over borrowed money in the Bohiwada police station area of Bhiwadi, a 47‑year‑old fruit vendor died. It is alleged that during a scuffle with the woman who came to demand the money, the fruit vendor fell to the ground. He died on the way while being taken to the hospital. The police have arrested the woman accused.

The deceased was identified as Mohammed Yakub Rustum Ali Siddiqui (47) of Gouri Padda. The arrested woman was identified as Lakshmi Bai Naik (56) of Temghar Padda.

According to the police, Yakub sold fruit on a handcart on Old Thana Road. He had borrowed some money from Lakshmi Bai for his business. Between approximately 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday night, Lakshmi Bai arrived at his handcart to demand the borrowed amount. A dispute arose between them at that time. It is alleged that Yakub fell to the ground during the scuffle.

The neighbor fruit vendor Abdul Raouf, who arrived to help Yakub, had his mobile phone allegedly seized by the accused woman, who then fled the scene. Passersby tried to take Yakub by rickshaw to Indira Gandhi Memorial Government Sub‑District Hospital, but he died before reaching the hospital.

Upon receiving the information, Senior Police Inspector Vikram Mohite of the Bohiwada police station arrived at the scene with his team. The police initiated an investigation by filing a complaint and arrested Lakshmi Bai Naik on Wednesday morning. Upon being presented in court, she was sent into police custody until 11 September.

The police have sent the body for post‑mortem to J.J. Hospital in Mumbai. According to Senior Police Inspector Vikram Mohite, whether the scuffle and death are directly related will become clear once the post‑mortem report arrives. Further action will be taken based on the report.