The painter, Sham B. Kandhare, was standing outside his house when landlord Maruti S Marne and his two accomplices Damu N Mohol and Raju D Mohol attacked him with knives, according to a complaint lodged with the Kothrud police by Sham's mother, Hausabai. Sham was immediately rushed to the Sassoon Hospital where he was proclaimed dead on arrival.

According to the complaint lodged with the police, Marne was angry with Sham because he had refused to vacate the room he had rented from Marne.