32-year-old Pune man kidnapped, beaten to death on failing to pay cricket betting debt

A 32-year-old man was beaten to death after being kidnapped last week, on being unable to repay his debts to cricket bookies. Nikhil Chandrashekhar Anbule, a resident of Pune, was earlier in the construction business but got himself into cricket betting and the police authorities revealed that he owed money to the bookies.

According to the investigation, the offenders had been frequently intimidating Anbule and asking for their money back before kidnapping him on November 15. The police officials have detained two accused- Vishal Amrale, aged 35, and Lahu Mane aged 40. Authorities believe that Anbule, a resident of Ambegaon Budruk in Pune, was not into the construction business and was unemployed.

His wife Harshada, who works for a major multinational IT company in Pune, filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter on Monday, November 21, at Bharti Vidyapeeth police station. As per the FIR, Nikhil called Harshada in the morning hours of November 16 to inform her that someone had taken him hostage and was holding him captive. He informed her that unless he fully settled his debt to them, they would not free him.

“Nikhil’s friend told Harshada that her husband was abducted by some persons in a car at Ambegaon area on the night of November 15. Sometime later the family members transferred Rs 28,000 to Nikhil’s account through an online banking application. After a while Nikhil returned home and suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead,” she stated in the complaint, as reported by The Indian Express.

Accused under police custody as investigation continues

Nikhil wagered on cricket games through Amrale and Mane the bookies, according to the case investigation. The cops stated that they had also threatened Nikhil and sought the Rs 28,000 he owed them. Prior to November 15, the bookies had allegedly assaulted him once, according to the police.

“After he was kidnapped, he was confined at a place near KK Market where he was thrashed on the back and on the chest, which led to his death. We have arrested Amrale and Mane and have launched a search for their accomplices.” said an officer from Bharti Vidyapeeth police station.