Palghar Shiv Sena leader`s murder: Cops nab one more accused; 7 held so far

One more accused has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Ashok Dhodi, a Shiv Sena leader from Maharashtra`s Palghar district, police said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.

The police have so far arrested seven persons, including the victim`s brother Avinash Dhodi, for the crime that took place in January, while two more accused remain at large, District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh said, reported PTI.

Manoj Bhavarsingh Rajput (34) from Shahapur in Thane district was apprehended on Thursday, he said.

As per the case details, the victim, Ashok Dhodi (52), had gone missing on January 19, and his body was found days later after police managed to zero in on his car, which was in a water-filled quarry in neighbouring Gujarat, reported PTI.

According to the police, Avinash Dhodi was angry as the victim had filed an application with the Vevji Gram Panchayat to cancel his house lease, following which he was evicted, reported PTI.

On January 19, when Ashok Dhodi was travelling to his house from Dahanu, the accused and his accomplices intercepted the car at Vevji Ghat and abducted him.

The accused subsequently murdered Ashok Dhodi and threw his body and car into a water-filled quarry at Sarigam Wadiapada in Gujarat, reported PTI.

An FIR was registered with the Gholwad police station under sections 140 (3), 140 (1) (kidnapping or abducting to murder or for ransom, etc.), 351 (2) (criminal intimidation), 103 (1) (murder) and 238 (A) (kidnap) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on January 27, reported PTI.

The police arrested the main accused, Avinash Dhodi, from Silvassa in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli earlier this month. 

(With inputs from PTI)

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