Bhayandar: In a shocking incident, a 36-year-old man allegedly killed his friend with a sickle following a heated altercation in Murdha Khadi area of Bhayandar West. The incident occurred late on the night of June 10, and the accused is currently absconding.

According to police reports, the accused, identified as Sanjay Sharma, worked as a painter and had been residing on rent in a chawl near Murdha Khadi for the past three years. Two days ago, his friend Anees Nabi (46) arrived from his native village and was staying with him.

The two reportedly got into an argument late last night. In a sudden fit of rage, Sanjay allegedly attacked Anees with a sharp sickle inside the house, killing him on the spot.

“Sanjay fled the scene immediately after the incident. We received the information and rushed to the location, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem,” senior PI Jitendra Kamble of Bhayandar police station said. “We have registered a case of murder and an active manhunt is underway.”

The motive behind the murder remains unclear. Investigating officers are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and recording statements from local residents, including the house owner, who confirmed that both men had been staying together.

The brutal nature of the crime has triggered panic and shock in the neighbourhood, with residents expressing fear over the sudden eruption of violence in a quiet residential zone.