An Indian Oil official was allegedly stabbed to death during a dispute over the sealing of a petrol pump in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. Mahesh Shelke, a sales manager with Indian Oil, was attacked while part of a team that had arrived to seal the outlet in Chondhi on Tuesday evening, police said. The petrol pump had reportedly remained shut for around three months due to technical issues.

According to police, the petrol pump operator’s family requested additional time to restart the facility and sought about a month before the sealing action was carried out. The officials, however, did not agree to the request, following which an argument reportedly broke out between the two sides. During the dispute, the operator’s son, identified as Umesh Pandavveer, allegedly attacked Shelke with a knife.

Police said Shelke sustained multiple stab injuries during the assault and died at the spot. The attack occurred while he was carrying out official duties as part of the Indian Oil team. Following the incident, the accused allegedly fled from the location, prompting police to launch a search to trace him. A murder case has been registered at Kurunda police station in connection with the incident.

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Indian Oil chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney expressed grief over Shelke’s death and condemned the attack. He said the company had taken up the matter with senior authorities in Maharashtra and sought swift and stringent action against those responsible. Sahney also conveyed condolences to Shelke’s family, colleagues and other loved ones following the fatal incident.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also condemned the killing, describing it as a shocking and unacceptable act of violence. Puri said Shelke was part of a team involved in the takeover of an Indian Oil retail outlet in Hingoli district when he was attacked with a sharp weapon. He expressed condolences to Shelke’s family and assured them of support from the Petroleum Ministry and Indian Oil.

Puri further said the matter had been raised with senior Maharashtra government and police officials to ensure action against those responsible in accordance with the law. The minister stressed that the safety and security of personnel working across the energy sector remained a priority. Meanwhile, police continue their efforts to locate the accused in the case.

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