The accused last night attacked the victims -- Ramprasad Gupta (owner of a roadside egg stall) and Babu Kulal (62) and his son Santosh (33) (both of whom ran a grocery shop) -- upon a suspicion that they had complained to police about them in connection with some issue, said senior inspector KD Jadhav of Ulhasnagar police.
It was at around 10.30 P.M. When 7-8 persons, one of whom was identified as Yogesh Shinde, allegedly attacked the trio with swords and other weapons in the Hanuman Tekadi area of Ulhasnagar, added sub-inspector ML Pandav.
The three victims were later admitted to hospital where Gupta's condition is stated to be critical, he added.
A case has been registered under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc), 143, 147 (rioting), 148, 149 and 427 of IPC and also under the relevant provisions of the Arms Act and Bombay Police Act, the SI said.