MUM,BAI, January 15: A business rival was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Vasantlal Bhavji Shah, step-son of matka king Kalyanjibhai Bhagat Shah of Kalyan matka fame.Prime accused Navinchandra Hirji Savla was arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of Vasantlal, who was shot dead Worli last Sunday. On thursday, deputy commissioner of police (crime) K L Prasad said investigations revealed that Shah's killers belonged to Arun Gawli gang with whom Savla had links.
``Savla was into illegal betting under the name of Star matka which led a dispute with Vasant Shah over sharing of territories and paying royalty money,'' said Prasad. Jt CP (crime) Ranjit Singh Sharma said kingpin Kalyanjibhai, who had started the illegal betting system, passed away four years ago handing over the business to his son Vasant. The DCP said there is strengthening evidence to suspect that Savla had hired Gawli shooters to settle a dispute over illegal betting operations in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
The police refused to reveal the names of the other two suspects who have been detained in connection with Shah's murder. Shah, a matka operator and jeweller, was shot dead by three unidentified persons near his residence at Pankaj Mansion on the Annie Besant Road, while he was parking his car.
Said the police, the assailants emptied 14 rounds into Vasant before escaping. He was immediately removed to the nearby Poddar hospital but he was declared dead before admission. They said more than two weapons were used in the killing. Two 9 mm and four 7.63 empty cartridges were recovered by the police adding a special squad has been set up to spread a dragnet to nab two more accused.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
