The City Police have solved the shooting case at the residence of Congress corporator Shubham Motghare in Wathoda-Bhandewadi. Seven accused have been arrested, while four others, including a woman, are still absconding. Police suspect that Motghare was targeted over information he had provided to the police about drug activities. Preliminary investigation has also found evidence of a financial transaction of around Rs 50,000 for carrying out the attack. Commissioner of Police (CP) Vishwas Nangre Patil gave the details at a press conference on Thursday. The incident took place around midnight on August 25. Motghare had returned from an event and was standing on the balcony of his first-floor residence. Two masked men arrived on a two-wheeler. One of them fired at the house. The bullet shattered a windowpane and entered the house. No one was injured.

 

The incident was captured on CCTV. Seven teams from the local police and Crime Branch were formed to investigate the case. Identifying the attackers was difficult as their faces were covered. Police used CCTV footage, forensic evidence, digital investigation and other technology to track the suspects. Two accused were arrested in Surat, Gujarat, while two others were caught in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. One of the arrested accused has 46 criminal cases against him. The other accused also have criminal records. Police have started the process to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the main accused.

 

Investigators also found evidence of money transactions among the accused. This has led police to suspect that a Rs 50,000 ‘supari’ was given for the attack. Police suspect that the attack was linked to Motghare providing information about drug activities to the authorities. So far, no evidence of political rivalry has emerged. Patil said the exact motive would be established after a detailed investigation. WhatsApp chats reveal attack plan: Police recovered WhatsApp conversations between some of the accused before the shooting. The chats reportedly contain discussions about how the attack should be carried out. One message allegedly asked, “Should we shoot at the leg or the glass?” Investigators are now examining whether the attack was meant not only as revenge but also to create fear. Police questioned members of around 40 gangs involved in the city’s drug trade while tracing the suspects. Criminals recently released from jail were also examined. Investigators pieced together several clues through forensic analysis, digital investigation and modern technology. This helped police identify and arrest the seven accused.