RPI leader shot dead

RPI leader shot dead
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, SEPT 23: Republican leader, Raghoji Valji Makwana (54), was shot dead at the corporation office in Mulund by two unidentified persons today. Raghoji Makwana was RPI corporator Waliben's husband.

According to information received, the couple were at the local corporation office when four people drove up in an autorickshaw. Two of them entered under the pretext of getting some documents attested by the corporator. After some general conversation, the one of the accused took out an automatic revolver and shot him point blank on the head. Raghoji was immediately rushed to the Mulund General Hospital where he was declared dead on admission.

As people in the area received news of the murder, there were angry protests and rasta rokos for a brief period of time. People took out a morcha towards the Mulund police station, demanding an immediate inquiry into the matter.

But Raghoji himself has a police record. There have been eight cases and two murder cases registered with the Mulund police against him. Raghoji was first arrested by the police under the National Security Act some years ago. The case is under investigation.

The police are suspecting extortion to be the motive behind the murder. Corporator Waliben has said that the couple were receiving threatening calls from people who she alleges wanted hafta from them. Raghoji is also said to have been in trouble with the Shetty community in the area, regarding some hotel.

Raghoji has also been accused of murdering his first wife and two children. According to a senior police official, Waliben had said that her husband was not at home the previous night. He was allegedly having an extra-marital affair and police suspect he spent the night with his paramour.

Police suspect the rickshaw driver may also be involved.