Ulhasnagar: A sanitation worker engaged in door-to-door garbage collection for the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) was allegedly murdered following a dispute over waste disposal on Monday morning. Hours later, after learning of her husband’s death, his wife died by suicide, leaving local residents in shock.The deceased has been identified as Mahadu Jagtap, who worked with Konark Enviro, a private contractor appointed by the civic body for waste collection through “ghanta gadi” vehicles. His wife has been identified as Purvi Jagtap. Police have arrested the accused, Durgesh Gupta (32), in connection with the crime.To protest against the crime, some sanitation workers have declared a strike on Tuesday in the city.According to the police, the incident took place in Camp Number 3 area of Ulhasnagar when Mahadu had gone there as part of his routine garbage collection duty. Officials said he noticed that Durgesh had scattered garbage outside his house, instead of keeping it properly for collection. When Jagtap asked him to dispose of the waste correctly, an argument broke out between the two.Police said there had been previous disputes as well, and Durgesh had earlier been warned about not placing garbage properly outside his residence. However, on Monday morning, the argument escalated. Durgesh allegedly went inside his house, brought a knife and attacked Jagtap repeatedly.Investigators said the accused stabbed Mahadu at least 32 times. The CCTV shows some residents in the area attempted to intervene and stop Durgesh, but he ignored them and continued the attack. Mahadu succumbed to his injuries on the spot.Soon after news of the murder reached Mahadu’s residence, his wife reportedly became distraught and died by suicide at their home.Police said Purvi was Mahadu’s second wife. After the death of his first wife, Mahadu remarried last year. He has two children from his first marriage, who have now been left orphaned.After the incident police from Central police station reached the spot and began an investigation. Officers examined CCTV footage from the area, which helped identify Durgesh’s role as the assailant. The accused was arrested within an hour of the incident.Deputy commissioner of police Sachin Gore said the accused is unemployed and is known for his aggressive behaviour. “Even his family members appeared troubled by his conduct,” the officer said. Police records show that Durgesh had earlier been arrested in June last year in connection with an assault case but was later released on bail.The incident has left sanitation workers in Ulhasnagar deeply saddened, with many demanding strict action against the accused. Residents of the city expressed shock over the double tragedy, as two deaths occurred in the same family within a span of a few hours.
