Shiv Sena (Uddha Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar was shot dead during a Facebook Live session by Mumbai social activist Mauris Nornha. After shooting Ghosalkar, Noronha shot himself.
According to PTI, Ghosalkar was struck by four bullets. Abhishek Ghosalkar and Mauris Noronha, who were reportedly at odds, had apparently come on Facebook Live to dispel any personal animosity for the improvement of the IC Colony locality, according to a statement from a police official speaking to PTI.
Sanjay Raut, a member of Shiv Sena (UBT) and a Member of Parliament, said on X that Shinde had met Noronha at the official residence of the Chief Minister, 'Varsha', four days ago. Raut claimed that during the meeting, Shinde extended an invitation for Noronha to join Shiv Sena under Shinde's leadership. Additionally, Raut called for the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Aaditya Thackeray, a former minister, shared that he had a prior meeting with Abhishek Ghosalkar earlier in the evening and expressed that the state of Maharashtra was no longer plagued by a sense of lawlessness.
Raj Tilak Roushan, DCP (Crime Branch), told news agency ANI that there appeared to be a longstanding rivalry between the two individuals, suggesting that the fatal confrontation may have been a consequence of this ongoing feud.
Upon receiving information about a shooting, law enforcement promptly arrived at the scene. Both the victim and the assailant were swiftly transported to a hospital, but unfortunately, both succumbed to their injuries. DCP Datta Nalawade informed reporters that a comprehensive investigation is underway, with forensic samples being collected. The incident is being examined from all angles, and an FIR is being registered, with the case handed over to the Crime Branch.
Who Was Abhishek Ghosalkar?
The 40-year-old Abhishek Ghosalkar was the son of former Maharashtra MLA Vinod Ghosalkar. Vinod Ghosalkar was an MLA from 2009-2014 The family is loyal to Uddhav Thackeray.
Abhishek Ghosalkar was a corporator in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
Ghosalkar also served as the director of the Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank.
Ghosalkar was married to Tejasvee Darekar in 2013.
Who Was Mauris Noronha?
Mauris Noronha, also known as 'Mauris bhai' in the suburbs of Borivali, Nornha was known to be a social worker and philanthropist.
According to NDTV, Noronha had planned a pilgrimage to the Infant Jesus shrine in Nashik for Borivali residents on February 10. Ghosalkar even mentioned this pilgrimage during the Facebook Live session, at the end of which he was shot dead.
Last month, Noronha posted a cryptic message on his Instagram handle that read: "You can't defeat a man who doesn't care about pain, loss, disrespect, heartbreak and rejection."
According to Hindustan Times, Mauris Noronha came under the police's radar when he was accused of blackmailing, cheating, raping, and threatening a 48-year-old woman. The offences were allegedly committed in 2014, but the complaint was registered in 2022.
After Thursday's incident, a photo of Noronha getting an award from Amruta Fadnavis, the wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.