Bootlegger, aides open fire at youth BJP worker

VADODARA: A bootlegger and his two aides opened fire on an executive member of BJP Yuva Morcha over personal rivalry during early hours of Saturday. The trio was arrested by the police by evening.
Bootlegger Mukesh Mishra and his aides Ronak Chauhan and Avirath Patel were arrested by Panigate police on the basis of a tip-off received from an informer. Mishra had fired upon Kaushal Dave outside Dave’s residence on Waghodia Road.
Dave had returned from garba program that was organized ahead of his wedding on Friday night. He told the police that Mishra and his friends Chauhan and Patel had come to the garba venue uninvited on Friday night. When Dave’s friends asked them to leave to avoid any untoward incident, the trio left the place. After the program ended, Dave reached his residence around 1 am where the trio was already waiting for him on their bikes. When Dave got out of his car, Mishra walked towards him pointing a gun and said, “You will not remain alive today.” When Mishra fired the first shot, Dave ducked and ran towards his house shouting that he had been attacked. Mishra fired two more shots at Dave but missed.
Hearing the gunshots and Dave’s cries, his friends and brother came down. Seeing them Mishra and his aides fled from the spot. While the police is still investigating the reason behind the attack, Dave, in his complaint, has said that four years ago his brother Nirmal and Mishra had got into argument during Ganesh festivities because of which Mishra must have fired at him.
During investigations at crime scene, the police did not find any shells that were fired from the gun. However, a police official said, “Firing did take place as many people in the neighbourhood heard gunshots and there were some eye witnesses too who saw Mishra firing.”
Panigate police inspector J G Amin said, “We are interrogating the accused. Once we get answers, the picture will become clear.”
Cops have recovered the gun that was used by Mishra but during interrogation he claimed that it is a blank gun that makes a big sound but it is not a real gun. Amin said that the FSL report will reveal whether it was a blank gun or a real one.