Accused in Sena corporator’s murder shot dead; aide injured

Senior Police Inspector Arun Sonde of Kalwa police station said: “Patil and Chawre were passing through the Vitawa bridge when another Scorpio suddenly overtook Patil’s vehicle and forced it to halt. Two men in the other vehicle opened fire on Patil and Chawre. Patil suffered two gunshot wounds to his head and one on his his waist. Chawre was hit on his leg. After the attack,the shooters,who were accompanied by eight others in the vehicle,abandoned their Scorpio and fled. We have seized the vehicle and have got to know the names of some of the persons involved.”

Investigators said primary forensic evidence and the manner in which Patil’s vehicle was waylaid indicate that it was “a well planned murder”. They said there were eight persons accompanying the shooters “to create a security wall around the two to ensure they escaped after the attack”. “Besides this would also create confusion at the spot,” said a senior officer. 

Sonde said three police teams have been formed to nab the accused following a tip-off that they had left the city after the shootout. “Patil was an accused in the murder of Chougule and was out on bail. However,Chawre does not seem to have any police record. We are conducting enquiries to trace his antecedents,” said Sonde. Patil was also wanted for other cases of murder,attempt to murder and dacoity.