Gawli's two aides held from Daman in matka king's murder

Mumbai, Jun 18 (UNI) Two associates of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli were today nabbed from Daman by the city Crime Branch sleuths in connection with the murder of matka king Suresh Bhagat.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Rakesh Maria said acting on a tip-off, Harish Rama Manjrekar (30) and Suhas Ronge, both close accomplices of Gawli, were arrested on Maharashtra-Gujarat border.

Manjrekar had given 'supari' (contract) to driver Pravin Shetty for killing Bhagat by triggering a road accident. It was also revealed that he had received a contract of Rs 45 lakh from Ronge.

Mr Maria further said the motive behind the murder was control over the matka business between Suresh and his wife Jaya. Accused Ronge and Jaya were handling the Kalyan matka business.

The police team along with duo would reach here late tonight and handed them over to Alibaug police for further investigations, as the case is registered under their jurisdiction.

Bhagat was killed in a road accident at Alibaug on June 13, when his SUV collided head-on with a truck.

He along with five others was on way to Mumbai after attending a court hearing in one of the cases filed against him there.

Bhagat and five others identified as Kamlesh Salunkhe, Tushar Shahaab, Milind Kadam, Valmiki Pawar and Dharmendra Singh had died on the spot.

About three weeks ago, Bhagat had filed a complaint alleging threat to his life. The threat was apparently from his wife and son, who were eyeing his flourishing matka business that runs across the state.

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