Abhishek Ghosalkar murder: Widow moves Bombay HC seeking transfer of probe to SIT or CBI

The petitioner, through advocates Bhushan Mahadik and Neha Sule sought direction from the court to transfer the probe to SIT headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) or in the alternative to the CBI.

Tejasvee stated that she had addressed a letter with a detailed representation to various authorities giving details of the persons suspected to be involved in the murder and had on March 4 requested Mumbai Police to form an SIT.

Despite addressing such letters to concerned authorities, till the filing of petition on March 30, they “failed to conduct the probe and file chargesheet against accused persons who are politically powerful, protected, guarded and shielded them,” Tejasvee claimed. The petitioner said that she had also written to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to probe into the murder.

“Mishra, who had a licensed weapon allegedly joined Noronha in mid-December, 2023 without approaching any security agency company/firm which is duly authorised and other approvals to deploy guards with or without weapons. Mishra, who was having a licensed weapon in Prayagraj, with malafide intentions and ulterior motives to commit fraud, did not follow /comply with the due statutory procedure/provisions and did not register the licensed weapon in Maharashtra,” the plea added.

She sought ‘scribbled’ entries on Mishra’s weapon licence to be probed along with investigation into whether the said weapon was legally procured.

“It is a matter of serious doubt and apprehension as to who shot the bullets at Abhishek since the said person was standing behind the mobile phone placed on a tripod stand and was not seen at the time of shooting. However, the respondent authorities have turned a blind eye towards such apprehensions and investigation is progressing at snail’s pace, thereby diluting the essence of time which is pivotal and of vital importance,” the plea stated, seeking probe by an ‘independent’ agency.

The petitioner sought direction to such an agency to conduct speedy probe and to give progress report in the probe every fortnight. It also sought to insert a charge of criminal conspiracy with common intent under section 120-B of IPC in the case.

Abhishek, 41, the son of former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, was shot dead in Borivali in suburban Mumbai on February 8, this year, during a social media live, allegedly by his old political rival Mauris Noronha, 47, who later died by suicide.

The next day, February 9, the police arrested Noronha’s bodyguard Amarendra Mishra as it was alleged that his gun was used in the crime.

The MHB police station in Borivali had filed a FIR against Noronha alias Mauris Bhai under Section 30