Andheri shootout: Gangster Sandeep Gadoli's girlfriend 'on the run'

As the girlfriend of gangster Sandeep Gadoli and the only witness to his death at the hands of the Gurgaon police, Divya Pahuja holds the key to the case, especially now that she is also a suspect. But after changing her statement repeatedly and misdirecting the Mumbai police, the struggling actress has now managed to give them the slip. Divya's disappearance has now raised questions about how the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is handling the case.

Also read: Sandeep Gadoli shootout: Murder charges against five Haryana cops

This picture of Divya Pahuja was uploaded on her Facebook page last week

Mumbai Police's SIT has already booked the eight Gurgaon cops who stand accused of hunting Gadoli down and killing him in cold blood in an Andheri hotel on February 7. However, Divya has managed to evade arrest on two occasions. She disappeared a month ago. Twice, Mumbai cops went looking for her at her houses in Gurgaon and Delhi, but did not find her there.

Also read: Did Sandeep Gadoli fire at police? Lack of gunshot residue suggests otherwise

Divya Pahuja was present in the hotel room when Sandeep Gadoli was gunned down, but kept changing her statement, claiming she had not seen anything

The Gurgaon cops had alleged that they were merely trying to arrest the gangster, but he opened fire on them, forcing them to shoot him in retaliation. However, investigators found several indications that it may have actually been a staged encounter. mid-day has carried a series of articles on Gadoli's death and how it took place.

Also read: Andheri shootout: Sandeep Gadoli was shot in the back, reveals SIT probe

Divya Pahuja was present in the hotel room when Sandeep Gadoli was gunned down, but kept changing her statement, claiming she had not seen anything

The one person who can easily confirm what actually happened is Divya, who was in the same hotel room when Gadoli was shot down. However, as mid-day had reported earlier, she changed her statement five times and told the cops that she didn't see what had happened because she was in the bathroom at the time of the incident. However, sources said that the investigation had revealed that not only did Divya see everything, but she also connived with the Gurgaon cops and helped them find Gadoli.

Gadoli was in hiding but was accompanied by Divya on his travels. She was allegedly in constant touch with her mother and the Gurgaon police, and kept feeding them information on their whereabouts. In fact, just a day before Gadoli was murdered at the Airport Metro Hotel in Andheri West, she put up a post on Facebook announcing that she was in Mumbai, so the Gurgaon cops could narrow in on the couple.

Initially, the accused cops and Divya were all detained by the SIT for the investigation. However, after a month, the police let them go without any security arrangements whatsoever. It was only after more information turned up, pointing to Divya's alleged involvement in Gadoli's death that the cops began to pursue her again. On Friday, the SIT named the eight cops from Gurgaon, as well as Divya, in an FIR with murder and conspiracy charges. Yesterday, the investigators approached the court seeking an arrest warrant against the accused.

Gadoli's family members stated that Divya's life may be in danger, since she is the sole witness. Gadoli's brother, Kuldeep said, "She is the main eyewitness in the case and can nail the Gurgaon cops, but she has been untraceable for over a month now. The cops should find her soon."

Sources from the Crime Branch said Divya will likely be arrested soon or might even turn herself in.