Surat RFO murder: Former RTO inspector gave intense firing practice to aide to kill estranged wife, police tell court

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sura Rural) Chirag Vadodariya submitted an application with Surat district and Sessions court Judge S M Govani, seeking addition of Arms Act Sections 25(1) (unauthorized possession of firearm), 29 (purchasing firearms from unlicensed person) and 30 (punishment for contravention of license or rule) in the main complaint of murder.

After arguments from the prosecution and defense, Judge S M Govani approved the application.

In the application, Vadodariya said that Nikunj Goswami purchased a 0.38 bore licensed firearm from Gajanan Gun House with 50 cartridges on January 20, 2024. He bought 100 more rounds from the same gun shop on November 25, 2024. Nikunj purchased another 90 rounds from Smith Gun House on July 11,  2025, and 100 more cartridges from Abhay Gun House later.

The application adds that Nikunj told Ishwar that he wanted to kill his estranged wife and wanted to take custody of his son. “Nikunj trained his friend on pistol use and target shooting from short distances. Ishwar Goswami purchased two country-made pistols from one Surajkumar alias Raju Vinay Singh (who has been declared wanted in the case) of Bihar. Ishwar Goswami had used the same pistol for firing on the deceased Sonal Solanki (RFO),” police said in the application.

Talking to The Indian Express, Assistant Public Prosecutor Digant Tewar said, “As per the application, Nikunj Goswami had given intense training  to his friend Ishwar Goswami on how to use a pistol. The reason Nikunj provided in-depth training was to ensure the target was not missed. The judge had approved our arguments on the application of the addition of various Sections of the Arms Act.”

Sonal Solanki, a resident of Jokha village in Kamrej Taluka, separated from her husband, Nikunj Goswami, a year ago, due to various issues. After their separation, Sonal along with her son moved in with her parents in Jokha village. On November 6, 2025, she left her house in her car to drop her son in school. On the way, she was stopped by an unknown person, who shot her in the head and fled the spot. Later, Sonal was taken to a private hospital in Surat and doctors had carried out surgery on her head and removed the bullet. On December 9, she was shifted to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where she died on December 23 while undergoing treatment.

Sonal Solanki’s brother had lodged a complaint against Nikunj Goswami at the Kamrej police station regarding the firing incident involving his sister. Kamrej police arrested Nikunj Goswami and his friend Ishwar Goswami on November 12.  The duo are in judicial custody at Surat Central Jail.