Mumbai: Ulhasnagar priest attacked by friends over alleged affair allegations

The victim, Dheeraj Suraj Bholakani, has bruises all over his body

In a bizarre case of vengeance, a 34-year-old priest from Ulhasnagar was brutally thrashed by two men after he told one of them that his wife was having an affair with the other guy. The victim's motive behind making the allegation - and whether there was any truth to it - remains unclear as of now. The police said the two main accused had been friends for a long time and, so, neither appreciated the meddling priest's actions.

The victim, Dheeraj Suraj Bholakani, resides in Ulhasnagar-3 with his parents and earned his livelihood by performing religious rituals. According to the police, the trouble began when he became acquainted with one of the accused, Jetho Chandwani, and his wife Deepika, who runs a tuition class in the area and organises a summer camp for local children. The second accused, Ayyappan Naidu, is Chandwani's friend and also teaches children at Deepika's summer camp.

The accused, Jetho Chandwani (left) and Ayyappan Naidu

The two friends allegedly plotted the attack after Bholakani told Chandwani about the alleged growing closeness between Deepika and Naidu. Naidu grew irate, suspecting that Bholakani was trying to drive a wedge between in his friendship with Chandwani. On the other hand, Chandwani began to suspect that the priest, Bholakani, was the one actually having an affair with his wife.

Together, the two buddies allegedly began defaming Bholakani across the city and plotted their revenge. On April 14, Naidu lured the priest to the Ambernath Ordnance Factory's gate under false pretenses. Upon arrival, Bholakani was ambushed by Naidu and several unidentified youths, who attacked him with an iron rod, hitting his head, back, legs, and thighs. As a crowd began to gather, the assailants pretended to take Bholakani to a police station, but instead took him to a deserted area.

There, the attack continued. Bholakani told the police that Naidu then contacted Chandwani, urging him to bring Deepika to the scene to verify the priest's claims. Deepika did not arrive on the scene, but Chandwani, on getting there, allegedly instructed the attackers to kill the priest and delete any evidence on his mobile phone. The attackers allegedly took both of Bholakani's phones, poured alcohol on his face and clothes, and then fled.

Bholakani is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, where he provided a detailed statement to the police. The Ambernath Police have registered a case against the six accused, including Chandwani, Naidu and four unidentified accomplices, for attempt to murder, robbery and kidnapping. All accused are currently on the run, said police.