Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader dies after being shot in Dahisar

The first bullet hits Ghosalkar (right) After the subsequent bullets hit Ghosalkar

In an incident livestreamed on Facebook, an aspiring corporator, allegedly shot at his opponent and then died by suicide at I C Colony in Dahisar on Thursday evening. The deceased are Mauris Noronha, a local resident of I C Colony who moved to Mumbai from Los Angeles a few years ago, and Abhishek Ghosalkar, a former corporator from Ward number 1 of BMC and also a resident of I C Colony. Both were rushed to Karuna Hospital in Borivli where they were declared dead. Ghosalkar's father Vinod Ghosalkar is an ex-MLA belonging to Shiv Sena (UBT).

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

The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm at Noronha's office in I C Colony. The entire incident was captured on Facebook Live. In the video, both stated that they were together and soon would be distributing sarees to those in need. During the live video, Mauris allegedlt pulled out a gun off-camera and fired five rounds at Ghosalkar. Three bullets hit Ghosalkar in the chest, shoulder, and back. Locals rushed him to hospital. After shooting Ghosalkar, Mauris allegedly shot himself at point-blank range and killed himself.

Hero during pandemic

During the pandemic, Mauris provided free rations and help to the locals in I C Colony, becoming a local hero. He later extended his aid to Pune and throughout Mumbai. His actions won him support from locals, with many auto drivers displaying his photos on their rickshaws. He wanted to use this fame and contest elections.

Police and other law enforcement personnel outside Mauris Noronha's house in Borivli. Pic/Anurag Ahire

The dispute

Five years ago, Tejasvee Ghosalkar, wife of ex-corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar, was elected as the sitting corporator from Ward number 1 in IC Colony. However, this year, Noronha decided to run for the same position, causing tension between him and Ghosalkar, who is affiliated with Uddhav Thackeray's faction. Ghosalkar allegedly repeatedly asked Noronha not to run for election in the Ward, citing his wife's candidacy. Noronha, however, refused to listen to Ghosalkar's request. Noronha later faced legal troubles after a case of rape and cheating was filed against him by a girlfriend of 14 years, leading to his arrest. After spending 90 days in jail Noronha managed to secure bail and was released. Believing Ghosalkar was behind his arrest, Noronha wanted to take revenge. Despite attempts to settle the dispute, Noronha persisted as a candidate for corporator, declining Ghosalkar's offers.

Offer to settle

Noronha continued pressing for his candidature as a corporator. Allegedly Ghosalkar was unhappy with this and held several meetings, offering a settlement amount to stop Noronha from running as a candidate from Ward number 1. Ghosalkar also proposed that Noronha seek candidacy from Ward number 8, but Noronha declined the offer. Through mutual friends, they attempted to reach a settlement, leading to their reconciliation and subsequent meetings. On Wednesday evening, there was a meeting between Abhishek Ghosalkar and Noronha, where they decided to distribute sarees and rations to the needy and poor. The following evening, they met again at Noronha's office before distributing the supplies. They also planned to go live on Facebook to send a positive message that they were working together for the betterment of society and those in need.

5
No of rounds fired

Inputs by Sanjeev Shivadekar