Cops say Bhanushali’s killers have been held in UP

AHMEDABAD: Two persons, allegedly the shooters who carried out the murder of former BJP MLA Jayanti Bhanushali, have been detained by the SIT in Uttar Pradesh. Police officials are tight-lipped about developments. The shooters had been identified as Surjit Bhau and Shekhar Maru from Pune.

Bhau and Maru, after the murder, had made off with one of the four mobile phones Bhanushali was carrying. The slain BJP MLA, it is believed, had “sensitive videos” of some senior politicians on his phone. The forensics team analysing Bhanushali’s three mobile phones say they have found sensitive videos involving politicians, sources claim.

A key suspect, Manisha Goswami, police officials say, had arrived in Gandhidham with a third contract killer, a day or two days prior to the murder. The duo reconnoitred the venues of a few social functions that Bhanushali was to attend. “Bhanushali had told Manisha to meet him at a particular venue in Gandhidham. She had demanded money from him. We suspect the transaction may be related to these videos,” adds the police official.

Investigators have said the coach attendants and a few passengers identified Bhau and Maru, as those who has murdered the BJP leader aboard the Sayajinagari Express on Monday night, when he was on his way from Bhuj to Ahmedabad.

Investigators claim they have gathered evidence and call details, which point to Bhanushali’s political rival, Chhabil Patel, who allegedly hatched the murder conspiracy. “Four others, including his close associates were blackmailing Bhanushali and had threatened to kill him as well,” said a SIT official. The official added, “One of the shooters has claimed that BJP leader Chhabil Patel also had a some sensitive videos in his mobile phone.” Patel’s personal assistant was questioned about his whereabouts.

“Chhabil Patel visits the US quite often. We are gathering details of his previous visits and are scrutinizing the list of places he had visited over the last few months,” said a police official.