Social activist’s bodyguard held after murder of Sena (UBT) leader; parties trade charges

Mumbai, February 9

Bodyguard of social activist Mauris Noronha was arrested on Friday by Mumbai Crime Branch after it initiated a probe following murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar during a Facebook Live session a day earlier.

In the aftermath of the killing, a heated political battle has erupted between the ruling and opposition parties and calls for the resignation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis have intensified, putting the Eknath Shinde government under pressure.
This incident comes on the heels of a previous attack on a Shiv Sena member by a BJP legislator, sparking concerns about a breakdown in law and order within the state. The state government, however, maintained that a detailed probe will be held to unravel the entire conspiracy.

Noronha, who is said to have taken his own life, reportedly committed the act during the live session on social media intended to facilitate a resolution between the two deceased.

The bodyguard, whose pistol was allegedly used in the murder of Ghosalkar, was identified as Amarendra Mishra and he has been arrested under section 29 (B) of the Arms Act which deals with the offence of handing over a weapon to someone without ascertaining if the person is legally permitted to possess it, an official said.