Pune man kills colleague with butcher knife over money dispute in parking lot

A 28-year-old woman, Shubhada Kodare, was murdered in Pune on Tuesday evening after being attacked with a cleaver by her colleague, Krishna Kanoja, 30, in the parking lot of their workplace. Both worked at WNS Global, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company located in Yerawada, Pune. The attack is said to have stemmed from a money dispute between the two, which had been building up over several months. Kanoja, an accountant at the company, had lent Kodare money multiple times, under the pretext that her father was ill and required funds for treatment.

Kanoja grew suspicious of the repeated requests for money after Kodare continued to claim her father’s illness. He traveled to Kodare’s native place to confirm her story and discovered that her father was in fact healthy and had no medical issues. Upon learning this, Kanoja confronted Kodare, demanding repayment of the money she had borrowed. Kodare allegedly refused to return the money, and a heated argument ensued.

At around 6 pm on Tuesday, Kanoja called Kodare to the parking lot of their office building to discuss the issue face-to-face. The confrontation escalated quickly when Kanoja attacked Kodare with a cleaver, severely injuring her. Several people were present in the parking lot at the time and witnessed the attack, but none intervened. Some individuals reportedly recorded the attack, which lasted several minutes. It was only when Kodare fell to the ground, seriously injured, that the crowd reacted by restraining Kanoja.

Kodare was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she was treated for severe injuries, including deep lacerations to her elbow. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and was declared dead at around 9 pm. Kanoja was arrested by the police at the scene, and a case of murder was registered against him. Investigators have been gathering evidence, including witness statements, to build the case.

The incident has drawn attention to the increasing violent crime in Pune, where attacks involving sharp weapons like cleavers and machetes have been on the rise. Authorities have expressed concerns over the city's security, especially after the recent surge in violent incidents involving 'koyta' gangs, who use machete-like weapons. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addressed the issue, noting the rise in crime and warning police officers about the inadequacies in controlling the situation despite improvements in police infrastructure and manpower. Pawar emphasized the need for better management of the city’s law and order.