THE Crime Branch of Mumbai police has formed two teams to probe into the sensational murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar during a ‘Facebook Live’ by a local ‘social activist’, who also killed himself, an official said on Friday. One team headed by an inspector-rank official is investigating the murder of Ghosalkar, while the second team is probing into the “accidental” death of his killer Mauris Noronha, he said. The Crime Branch probe will focus on several aspects, including how Noronha got the weapon and who provided it to him, if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time and the questioning of people who were present at the spot when Ghosalkar was fired upon, he said. A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha’s office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder.

 

Killer held grudge, used bodyguard’s pistol to commit crime:The bodyguard of social activist Mauris Noronha, whose pistol was allegedly used in the murder of Ghosalkar, was identified as Amarendra Mishra and he has been arrested under section 29 (B) of the Arms Act which deals with the offence of handing over a weapon to someone without ascertaining if the person is legally permitted to possess it, an official said.The police have recorded the statements of Noronha’s family members, including his wife, and learnt that he nursed a grudge against ex-corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, son of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar and a loyalist of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT). Noronha, who faced many cases, was earlier arrested in a rape case and spent nearly five months behind bars. Ghosalkar’s murder due to ‘gang war’ within Sena (UBT), says Uday Samant: Industries Minister Uday Samant on Friday condemned the shocking murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar but attributed it to the ongoing “gang war” with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. Ghosalkar was shot dead on Thursday evening during a ‘Facebook Live’ by a local ‘social activist’, who also ended his own life.

 

A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha’s office in IC Colony in the northern suburb of Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed ex-corporator Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder. Addressing a news conference here, Samant said nobody should lose their life in this manner, even if they are one’s political rivals. He urged for collaborative efforts to maintain peace and security in the state. He claimed that there was a deeper connection between Noronha and top Sena (UBT) leaders. He also showed what he claimed were clippings from Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ carrying photos of Noronha with leaders from the Thackeray-led party. Samant countered Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s claim that Noronha had met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a few days ago, calling it a mischief. Referring to the conversation between Ghosalkar and Noronha, Samant said, “When two leaders of the (Sena) UBT are discussing their plans, how does Shiv Sena come into the picture?” He also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the murder. Responding to queries about the demand for President’s Rule in the State, Samant said no such calls were made after the Palghar incident, referring to the lynching of two sadhus on the suspicion of being child stealers in 2020.