4 arrested for killing realtor; 2 are victim’s kin

Four persons were arrested on Thursday for the murder of Vasai-based real estate agent and land developer Shailesh Thakur,who was a member of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA). The arrested include the victim’s uncle Nitin Thakur,a senior BVA leader,and Nitin’s son Yashodhan.

Six assailants had shot Shailesh outside his office in Vasai on December 1. They were allegedly paid Rs 2 crore for getting rid of him as he was becoming a threat to Nitin and Yashodhan. Police said Nitin and Yashodhan had attempted to kill Shailesh twice earlier. The duo this time took help from their associates Jayesh Choudhary and Uddhav. Nitin and Yashodhan hired goons and left for Mahabaleshwar with their family to avoid suspicion.

“CCTV footage from outside Shailesh’s office showed Choudhary speaking on phone nearby. We then detained him. Nitin had asked him to be outside Shailesh’s office. If Shailesh was in,Choudhary had to signal Uddhav who was waiting with the masked goons,” said Anil Kumbhare,SP (Thane rural).