In the urban expanse of Mumbai, the local authorities apprehended two individuals on Thursday evening in connection with the homicide of Abhishek Ghoshalkar, a prominent leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) at the youthful age of 41. The tragic incident unfolded in suburban Borivali while Ghosalkar was engaged in a live broadcast on the social media platform Facebook, accompanied by social worker Mauris Noronha, affectionately known as Mauris Bhai.
Law enforcement sources reveal that the detainees, Mehul Parekh and Rahul Sahu, alias Ravana, possess comprehensive knowledge of the crime and are pivotal in unraveling the intricate details. Notably, they were staunch supporters of Noronha.
Post the live broadcast, Noronha proceeded to discharge three fatal shots at Ghosalkar. Disturbingly, it is alleged that Noronha, subsequently, turned the weapon on himself, succumbing to an apparent act of suicide.
The assailant’s office in the IC Colony of suburban Borivali served as the backdrop for the heinous act, captured in a widely circulated video. Despite swift transport to Karuna Hospital, both Ghosalkar and Noronha met an unfortunate demise.
Noronha, recognized as a benevolent social worker, had extended financial assistance and provisions to the citizens during the trying times of the Coronavirus pandemic. Sources indicate that he distributed rations in the slums of Ganpat Patil Nagar, Dahisar West. His altruistic endeavors during social projects fueled his aspiration to ascend to the position of a corporator.
Vinod Ghosalkar, a former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA, exerted dominance in the area where Mauris dedicated a decade to social work. Vinod Ghosalkar’s political trajectory saw him ascend from a corporator in the region to an MLA from the Dahisar Assembly Constituency.
Abhishek Ghosalkar, the son, mirrored his father’s political journey, assuming the role of a corporator in 2009 and subsequently in 2014. The Ghosalkar family’s political reign spanned over two decades, earning the region the moniker of the “fort of Ghosalkar.”
A previous incident involving Mauris’s arrest in 2022 on charges of rape, based on a woman’s complaint, led to a six-month incarceration. Noronha suspected Abhishek Ghosalkar’s involvement in aiding the woman, establishing a connection with him post his release on bail during Diwali.
Both individuals collaborated on public displays, such as banners conveying festive greetings to residents at Dahisar Borivali premises during Diwali and the New Year. Sources suggest that Noronha’s friendship with Ghosalkar ultimately took a dark turn, leading to the latter’s tragic demise.
Police investigations delved into the surveillance footage within Noronha’s office and the surrounding areas, recovering the non-licensed firearm used in the incident. Inspector Sunil Rane of the MHB police station raised questions about the origin of Noronha’s firearm, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The repercussions of Ghosalkar’s murder reverberated in the political landscape, with the Shiv Sena witnessing internal tensions. The focus shifted to connecting the accused, Noronha, with opposing factions within the party.
Uday Samant, the Minister for Industries in Maharashtra and a close associate of Shinde, asserted that Noronha gained prominence through ‘Saamana,’ the Sena mouthpiece published by Uddhav Thackeray, as it highlighted his social endeavors. A senior investigative officer in Borivali identified political animosity as a potential catalyst behind this tragic act.
