BJP leader among 17 held for murder of man over salt cultivation in Kutch: Cops

A total of 17 people were initially booked after the May 13 clashes for murder, rioting as well as under the Arms Act. Of them, 16 were arrested on May 17 after they surrendered before police. The Bhachau court had sent them to police remand for seven days.

“During course of investigation and interrogation of the accused arrested earlier, it emerged that Gadhvi was part of the conspiracy to attack the victims. He had stakes in the said land and he was a business partner of the co-accused. Therefore, he has been arrested,” Sagar Bagmar, superintendent of Kutch (east) police, told The Indian Express. Following his arrest, Gadhvi was sent to six days of police remand by a court in Bhachau town of Kutch on Wednesday.

Gadhvi’s wife Nita is a sitting BJP member of the Kutch district panchayat from Adhoi seat. She could not be reached for a comment.

“Prima facie, two groups clashed over the rights to cultivate salt on a piece of land. The violence resulted in the death of one person. Three others who were injured are reported out of danger now,” Bagamar further said, adding, “Names of 21 accused have surfaced in the case and 17 of them have been arrested so far.”

Sources said that another BJP leader is also on their radar for his alleged involvement in the case. “Technical evidence also suggested that Gadhvi was in touch with co-accused,” said the SP. Gujarat accounts for a majority of India’s salt production. Within the state, most of the salt is produced in the LRK, which separates Morbi and Surendranagar districts from Kutch.

Devji Varchand, president of Kutch district unit of the BJP, could also not be contacted for a comment on the arrest.