Man shot dead, brother injured in Rajkot

Rajkot, Jul 13: A man was allegedly shot dead and his brother sustained injuries, when a five-member gang intercepted their motor-cycle near Vaghasiya village at Wankaner in the district and fired at them.

The deceased, Chhelabhai Bharvad (35), along with Bhavanbhai Bharvad was going to Morbi from the nearby Navagam village on a motor-cycle yesterday, when the gang travelling in a jeep intercepted the duo, police said.

One of the gang-members allegedly fired at Chhelabhai from his 12 bore pistol soon after alighting from the jeep, killing him on the spot, while his brother was allegedly beaten up by the gang members, police said.

Bhavanbhai, however, managed to escape from the scene and the gang members fled after committing the crime, police said.

Bhavanbhai has lodged a police complaint against five members of Kathi community -- Kalu Malabhai, Babu Sursinghbhai, Ravu Jilubhai, Nankubhai Malabhai and elder son of Kalu Malabhai, police said.

Enemity between Kathi and Bharvad communities over a piece of government waste land is suspected to be the cause of this crime, police said.

Police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits.

UNI