Two teams of Mumbai Crime Branch to probe murder of Shiv Sena-Thackeray group leader

Mauris Noronha and Abhishek Ghosalkar, on a Facebook Live event minutes before the shooting. File Photo

The Crime Branch of Mumbai police has formed two teams to investigate the sensational murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar. One team headed by an inspector-rank official is investigating the murder of Ghosalkar, while the second team is probing into the 'accidental' death of his killer Mauris Noronha, an official said, reported news wire PTI.

Shiv Sena leader from Dahisar and former corporator, Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot during a Facebook Live by a local social activist, popularly known as Mauris bhai, who also killed himself after firing at Ghosalkar.

The Crime Branch probe will focus on several aspects, including how Noronha accessed the weapon and who provided it to him, if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of incident and. The people who were present at the spot during the incident will also be questioned.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police detained a person in connection to the killing. According to the police, the accused has been identified as Mehul, ANI reported. After the seven hours long investigation of the incident spot, the police have recovered a pistol, a live cartridge, and CCTV footage.

A case has also been registered against deceased Mauris Noronha under section 302 of the IPC, Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, Section 37 (1) (A), and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

Speaking to ANI, DCP (Crime Branch) Raj Tilak Roushan said, "There was an incident of firing in the jurisdiction of MHB police station in which two persons died. Further investigation by the Crime Branch is underway. We are also in the process of registering an FIR in the matter. We will also probe if the assailant had a valid licence for the firearm (used for the crime). The matter is being probed from all angles."

"The officers from the Crime Branch are carrying out the probe. Prima facie, it seems there was some kind of a rivalry between these two and the killing may have been a fallout of the same," the DCP (Crime Branch) added.

Abhishek (40), was the son of former MLA Vinod Ghosalkar, a loyalist of the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. A viral video of the incident, which took place at assailant Mauris Noronha's office in IC Colony in Borivali (West) on Thursday evening, showed Ghosalkar being shot in the abdomen and shoulder.

The mortal remains of the deceased Sena (UBT) leader were taken to the state-run JJ Hospital for a post-mortem.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)