American duo brutally attacked near Ahmednagar

An American couple was brutally  attacked by two thieves who entered their bungalow at Arangaon village, near Ahmednagar, in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Erico Nadel, 61, who suffered severe head injuries, was admitted to the intensive care unit of Pune’s Jehangir Hospital. His wife Heather Nadel, 60, is undergoing treatment at a private clinic in Ahmednagar.

Police said the thieves entered the house through the window by cutting the netting. Govind Pund, a guard posted outside the bungalow, alerted others on hearing the cries of the couple.

Ahmednagar superintendent of police Vijay Chavan said the thieves attacked the couple, who were sleeping, with iron rods fixed with spikes.

The Nadels, followers of spiritual guru Avtar Meher aka Meher Baba, have been
staying at the residential premises of the Avtar Meher Baba Trust in Meherabad for 35 years. Heather Nadel is a trustee.

The community of the followers of Meher Baba expressed shock at the brutality of the attack. The Ahmednagar police has beefed up security around the area and set up armed patrols.

“We have rounded up two suspects and investigations are on,” Chavan said. This was the second such incident in four years. Earlier, some foreign nationals, office-bearers of the trust, were also attacked by robbers.