Cops: Hitmen were shown hoardings of Dombivali businessman-politician

On February 24, the crime branch had arrested four accused, identified as Sanjeev Vashishtha alias Manne (32), Rajesh Yadav alias Sagar (40), Manishkumar Pande alias Bhat (27) and Mahendra Dive (29) for allegedly plotting to kill the Dombivali-based leader who is also a businessman. The crime branch had also found evidence pointing to a second hit job being given to the quartet, which was being probed further.

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According to crime branch officers, the wanted accused who allegedly sanctioned the hit took Yadav and Vashishta to Dombivali railway station on February 7 and showed them a hoarding put up outside the station facing the exit on the west side. The wanted accused then allegedly told the duo that this was the man that they had to kill, and told them to get a good look at him.

“The quartet, during interrogation, have confessed to have done a recce of the target’s house at least twice. They have further said that they were in the process of finalising the plan when we got the tip off,” a crime branch officer said.

Meanwhile, the second target of the quartet has been confirmed as a cable operator from Dombivali. The crime branch, between Saturday to Monday, arrested three more accused in the case, including a rival of the cable operator who had sanctioned the hit on him.

“The rival operator, Pranay Bhagat, had a long standing tiff with the target, and was afraid that the target would harm him in some manner. He told Yadav, who is a friend of his, that he was afraid and wanted to ‘neutralise’ the threat, and Yadav then told the other three accused, after which the supari was given,” said another officer. Apart from Bhagat, the other two fresh arrests are of Rupesh Jadhav and Mahendra Patil, said officials.

gautam.mengle@expressindia.com