Porbandar businessman's widow plea to handover murder case to CBI

Ahmedabad, Apr 8 (UNI) The widow of slain businessman from Porbandar Mulubhai Gigabhai Modhvadia today filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court appealing that the investigation of the murder case should be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In response to the petition filed by Lakhiben Modhvadia, Justice P B Majmudar issued notices to state government and CBI asking to file their say on or before April 12.

Petitioner's counsels, B P Gupta and Yatin Oza, pleaded for transferring the case to central investigating agency, alleging that the accused included political heavyweights such as ex-minister Babubhai Bhikhabhai Bokhiria and Bhima Dula of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The petitioner produced a letter written by her late husband on November 18, 2004, expressing fears that if he was killed, Bokhiria should be held responsible, as the two were business rivals.

She also pointed out that the main accused, who was politically well-connected, was roaming around freely.

Late Modhvadia was killed in broad daylight at Porbandar about five months ago.

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