An IndianOil officer was allegedly stabbed to death while carrying out an official operation to seal a petrol pump in Hingoli district of Maharashtra, in a case that has raised concerns over the safety of personnel performing enforcement duties.
The victim, identified as Mahesh Shelke, a Manager in IndianOil’s retail sales division, was part of a company team that had reached a petrol pump in Ambachondi village, Basmat tehsil, on Tuesday evening. According to police, the team had gone to take possession of and seal the outlet after it had remained non-functional for several months.
During the operation, an argument reportedly broke out between the company officials and members of the petrol pump operator’s family. Police said the dispute escalated into violence, after which Shelke was allegedly attacked with a knife. He suffered seven stab wounds and died at the scene. A murder case was subsequently registered at Kurunda police station.
Police have taken several people into custody in connection with the case as the investigation continues. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the confrontation and the exact roles of those allegedly involved.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and IndianOil Chairman AS Sahney. Puri called for swift and strict action against those responsible and said the safety and security of energy-sector personnel remains a priority.
The case has also drawn comparisons with the 2005 murder of IndianOil officer S. Manjunath in Uttar Pradesh, bringing renewed attention to the risks faced by officials carrying out regulatory and enforcement duties.
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