Wardha: A long-standing family land dispute in Maharashtra’s Wardha district resulted in a double homicide on Sunday, April 5, 2026, when a teenager allegedly stabbed his uncle and cousin to death. The brutal attack occurred around 10:30 AM in Barbadi village during a crowded wedding procession, transforming a festive celebration into a scene of chaos and panic. According to local police, the victims, identified as 50-year-old Prabhakar Bhalme and his 24-year-old son Ritesh, were killed on the spot before onlookers could intervene.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a heated argument broke out between the minor and his relatives during the procession. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly pulled out a knife and repeatedly attacked the duo. Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and detained the teenager. The bodies have since been moved to a local facility for post-mortem examinations, and a heavy police presence has been established in Barbadi village to prevent any further retaliatory violence or breakdown of law and order.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the extreme volatility often associated with unresolved property conflicts in rural regions. Police officials confirmed that the family had been embroiled in a legal and personal battle over land for a significant period, which prima facie appears to be the sole motive behind the targeted killings. A formal case is being registered, and the minor is currently being held as the investigation into the sequence of events continues.
