Doctor’s daughter attacks 78-year-old father in Kolhapur over property dispute, bites off finger segment
Kolhapur
In Kolhapur’s Gijvane village a 43-year-old doctor assaulted her 78-year-old father in a property dispute, running his motorcycle over him, kicking him and biting his finger till it broke. A case has been registered.
Kolhapur,| Nov 19, 2025 – : A shocking incident in Kolhapur district has revealed the depth of a family feud over inherited land. In Gijvane village of Gadhinglaj taluka, a 43-year-old doctor allegedly assaulted her 78-year-old father during a heated dispute over property division. The victim, Ganpatrao Vishnu Halwankar of Kedar Colony, Gijvane, was seriously injured after his daughter, Dr. Shubhangi Sunil Nikam of Belagundi, allegedly drove a motorcycle into him, kicked him on the chest and then bit off a segment of his finger. The father has been admitted to CPR Hospital in Kolhapur following initial treatment locally.
The dispute reportedly began earlier in November when Ganpatrao, along with his two daughters, became embroiled in a division of ancestral land. He had accused his elder daughter of threatening him and abusing him on November 11 and 14 over the issue. Rather than seeking an amicable resolution, the conflict escalated. On Sunday evening, Ganpatrao left his home for a ride and travelled along the Gijvane-to-Gadhinglaj road near a petrol pump location. There, his daughter allegedly intercepted him on a motorcycle, forced him off the vehicle and then physically assaulted him. The attack reportedly included repeated kicks to the chest region and verbal threats such as “if you complain, I will not leave you alive.” In the midst of the violence, the daughter locked her teeth into his right hand, near the thumb and index finger, tearing the tissue and breaking off part of the finger. Severe bleeding followed, prompting Ganpatrao’s son Uday to rush him to hospital for emergency care.
Ganpatrao filed a formal complaint at Gadhinglaj police station and the case is now under investigation. A patrol team has begun gathering statements from witnesses at the petrol pump and local roadside shops, reviewing any CCTV footage available, and documenting the injuries. The daughter is named as the prime accused and inquiries are underway into her motive and physical preparation for the assault. Residents of the village expressed shock at the intensity of violence executed by a professional doctor against her elderly parent, noting the rarity of such extreme intra-family behaviour. Some said they had heard raised voices and threats days earlier but did not intervene.
The incident highlights the intersection of property disputes, familial resentment and unchecked violence. Legal experts say that elder abuse, especially when perpetrated by adult children, is a serious offence under Indian law and may attract charges of attempt to murder, grievous hurt, criminal threats and elder abuse. The police have indicated that the severity of the injury—including partial finger severance—could lead to more severe charges if medical reports confirm permanent damage or nerve injury.
Ganpatrao remains admitted in critical condition, and his treatment is ongoing. Meanwhile, police are advising community members to record and report early signs of domestic disputes to prevent escalation. Local leaders said they would monitor the case closely, given the distress it has caused among villagers. The outcome of the investigation will be watched as a test of how family property conflicts are handled by law enforcement in rural Maharashtra.
