Mumbai: A long-standing dispute between the brothers over household issues took a tragic turn early Thursday when a quarrel over loud music allegedly escalated into a brutal knife attack that left a 40-year-old man and his 14-year-old son dead and three others, including the man’s wife, elder son and a neighbour, injured at Rahul Nagar in Vikhroli West.In an attempt to bring the violence under control, their neighbours reportedly switched off the electricity supply to plunge the house into darkness before entering and separating the accused from the victims.The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Parksite police station in Vikhroli West. The deceased have been identified as Sunil Vishwakarma and his teen son Shlok. Both sustained grievous knife injuries and were declared dead during treatment at Rajawadi Hospital. Sunil’s wife, Anju (35), and their older son, Vivaan (15), suffered multiple stab injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital. A neighbour, Mahadev Magar, who attempted to intervene, also sustained knife injuries to his right hand.Police have arrested Sunil’s brothers, Suraj Vishwakarma (33) and Surendra (36), along with Surendra’s wife, Priti Vishwakarma (35), on charges of murder and attempt to murder. According to the police, all three brothers lived together in a small house with a mezzanine floor at Rahul Nagar, while their eldest brother resides in Nalasopara. The eldest brother, Anil Vishwakarma, had moved out a few years ago due to the space crunch.Sunil, who was an RTO agent earlier, had begun driving an aggregator taxi, while his two brothers did odd jobs. “The three brothers often fought over petty things such as payment of electricity and water bills and various other issues,’’ said an official.According to the police, the immediate trigger for the murder was an argument over loud music being played shortly after midnight. Police said one of Sunil’s two sons was playing music which Suraj objected to, saying it was well past midnight. Although there had been simmering tensions between the brothers for some time, investigators say the dispute over the music might have become the immediate cause of the confrontation.What began as a verbal argument soon escalated into a violent physical assault. According to eyewitnesses, Surendra and Suraj allegedly attacked Sunil, who had just returned home from work, overpowering him inside the house. While Surendra allegedly restrained Sunil, Suraj picked up a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed him in the neck and chest.“Sunil’s wife and son immediately rushed to rescue him, but the two brothers started assaulting them as well,” an eyewitness told the police.The violence allegedly intensified when Shlok tried to protect his father. According to eyewitnesses, Suraj stabbed the 14-year-old twice in the neck, causing him to collapse. Anju Vishwakarma was also allegedly stabbed twice while trying to shield her husband and Shlok, while Vivaan suffered injuries during the assault.The attack continued for several minutes despite desperate cries for help. Residents of the locality rushed towards the house on hearing the commotion, but were allegedly prevented from entering.According to eyewitnesses, Surendra’s wife, Priti, had bolted the door from outside and stood guard, preventing neighbours from intervening.Neighbour Mahadev Magar, who eventually forced his way inside, alleged that Priti threatened him with a false rape case if he entered the house.“She warned me that if I went inside, she would file a rape complaint against me. But the screams continued, so I pushed past her and entered the house to stop the assault. During the struggle I was stabbed twice on my right hand, and the knife pierced through my hand,” Magar told TOI.Residents also claimed the assault continued for a considerable time before they managed to intervene. According to locals, several people recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones.The injured were immediately rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared Sunil and Shlok dead. Anju, Vivaan and Mahadev Magar were provided medical treatment, with Anju and Vivaan later shifted to a private hospital.Police have secured the crime scene, and a forensic team examined the house and collected evidence. Mobile phone videos recorded by local residents are also expected to form part of the investigation.A case of murder and attempt to murder has been registered against Suraj Vishwakarma, Surendra Vishwakarma and Priti Vishwakarma. Police are examining the exact sequence of events, the role played by each accused, and whether the assault was premeditated or an impulsive act arising from the family dispute.
