The incident took place outside V S Hospital in the Ellisbridge area around 11.30 pm on Wednesday. According to the police, Nand Kishore Contractor and his brothers, Premal and Pushpak — all residents of Kagdiwad area near the hospital — came to Sheikh’s stall and started inquiring about the price of a plate of fried rice. Sheikh told them that it was Rs 20 per plate. At this, the brothers allegedly started beating Sheikh for charging Rs 5 more.

“Enraged by Sheikh’s retaliation, Nand Kishore took out a knife and stabbed the former on his stomach several times,” said Inspector H M Kundliya of the Ellisbridge police.

Angered by this, vendors and other eatery owners of the area bashed up the Contractor brothers. A sudden commotion was caused and the police had to intervene. A profusely bleeding Sheikh was rushed to the V S Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. The police said his condition is critical.

Based on a complaint filed by Sheikh’s elder brother, Shakeer, the police arrested Premal early on Thursday morning.