The deceased, Baliram Dnyandev Gaikwad, 28, is a resident of Jori plot in Sadashiv Peth. He succumbed at Sassoon Hospital. The Vishrambaug police have registered a case. Meanwhile, the crime branch of Pune police, which is doing a parallel investigation into the case, has detained two minors in connection with the case.

Around 1.30 pm, Gaikwad and his friend Nitin Paigude were returning on a motorbike after collecting vargani for the Mahashivratri festival when seven-eight persons on motorcycles intercepted Gaikwad in front of the Bhave School, located a few metres away from the Perugate police chowky, police said.

Paigude escaped as the group assaulted Gaikwad with a sickle. Gaikwad was rushed to a private hospital by the police after they were informed by the local residents. He was later shifted to Sassoon Hospital where he died.

The police have recovered a sickle and a receipt book of Navshakti Mitra Mandal from the scene. They have also identified the suspects.