Shiv Sena leader Raju Darshale shot dead near Pune

The murder, a day before counting of votes for the state elections, sent shock waves among people in the area. Primary investigation by police revealed that unidentified persons barged  into Darshale’s office on the Punawale-Jambhe road and opened fire at him from a revolver, around 9 pm, and fled. Police believe that the assailants fired three bullets at Darshale and one of the bullets hit him on the head.

Local residents and cops rushed to the spot.

Darshale was taken to Birla hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said Darshale dealt in real estate and land. He was also the zonal chief (vibhag pramukh) of Shiv Sena in Punawale. Police were probing whether land dispute or political rivalry was the reason behind the murder. Police recorded statements of persons close to Darshale. Police teams were also probing calls made from his cellphones before the murder.

Senior police officers including additional commissioner Prakash Muttyal, deputy commissioner Rajendra Mane, officials of the crime branch and Hinjewadi police station visited the crime scene. Darshale’s family and supporters and Shiv Sena activists gathered in Punawale in large numbers following the murder. Additional police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incident.