- IndianOil manager Mahesh Shelke stabbed to death in Hingoli.
- Attack occurred during official petrol pump sealing operation.
- Union Minister, IndianOil condemn, demand swift action.
An IndianOil sales manager was allegedly stabbed to death while carrying out an official operation to seal a petrol pump in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district on Tuesday evening, with police launching a hunt for the accused.
Mahesh Shelke, a field officer with IndianOil’s Nanded North RSA, was part of a team that had reached a petrol pump in Chondhi to complete the sealing process. The incident took place at around 4:30 pm, police said.
Shelke was allegedly attacked during an argument involving the family of the petrol pump operator. Police said he was stabbed seven times with a knife and suffered injuries to his abdomen, back and face. He died on the spot.
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What Led To The Clash At Petrol Pump?
The petrol pump had reportedly remained shut for around three months due to technical issues before resuming operations a few days before the incident.
According to police, Shelke and his team had gone to the outlet to seal it when the family of operator Sahebrao Pandavveer allegedly asked officials for another month to restart operations. The request was reportedly rejected, following which an argument broke out between the two sides.
During the confrontation, Pandavveer’s son, Umesh Pandavveer, allegedly attacked Shelke with a knife. Police said the IndianOil official was stabbed seven times before collapsing at the scene.
The accused and some others reportedly fled from the spot in two cars, with CCTV footage said to have captured their escape. A murder case has been registered at Kurunda police station, and police teams are searching for the accused.
Hardeep Puri Condemns Killing
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressed shock over Shelke’s death and described the attack as a “heinous and unacceptable act of violence”.
Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic incident in which Shri Mahesh Shelke, Manager (Retail Sales), IndianOil, lost his life in Maharashtra while discharging his official duties. He was a part of a team carrying out the takeover of an IndianOil retail outlet in Hingoli district when he was brutally attacked with a sharp weapon. I strongly condemn this heinous and unacceptable act of violence. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in their hour of unimaginable grief and shock. @PetroleumMin and @IndianOilcl firmly stand with them and will extend all possible support. The issue has been taken up with the senior-most officials of the Maharashtra Government and Police to ensure swift and strict action against those responsible, in accordance with law. The safety, dignity and security of our energy-sector personnel, who work tirelessly to serve the nation, remain paramount. May the departed soul rest in peace. Om Shanti. 🙏
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) October 7, 2026
In a post on X, Puri said Shelke was part of a team carrying out the takeover of an IndianOil retail outlet in Hingoli district when he was attacked with a sharp weapon.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic incident in which Shri Mahesh Shelke, Manager (Retail Sales), IndianOil, lost his life in Maharashtra while discharging his official duties. He was a part of a team carrying out the takeover of an IndianOil retail outlet in Hingoli district when he was brutally attacked with a sharp weapon. I strongly condemn this heinous and unacceptable act of violence,” Puri said.
He added that the matter had been taken up with senior officials of the Maharashtra government and police to ensure swift and strict action against those responsible.
“The safety, dignity and security of our energy-sector personnel, who work tirelessly to serve the nation, remain paramount,” Puri said.
IndianOil Seeks Swift Action
IndianOil Chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney also condemned the killing and said Shelke was attacked while carrying out his official duties.
“Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of our colleague, Shri Mahesh Shelke, who was fatally attacked while discharging his official duties in Hingoli, Maharashtra. I strongly condemn this heinous act,” Sahney said.
He said the company had taken up the matter with the highest authorities in Maharashtra and was seeking “swift and stringent action” against those responsible.
IndianOil described Shelke as a “bright and promising sales officer” whose “commitment and sincerity had earned him the respect of his colleagues”.
“At this hour of immense grief, IndianOil stands firmly with his bereaved family and is extending all possible support to them,” the company said.