1 arrested, row ensues over Sena (UBT) leader's murder

The Mumbai Police on Friday arrested the bodyguard of activist Mauris Noronha, who shot dead Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar, before killing himself, on the suspicion that the latter had implicated him in a rape case, officials familiar with the probe into the brazen murder that took place during a Facebook Live said. The killing triggered a political row.

Noronha's bodyguard Amarendra Mishra was arrested under Section 29(B) of the Arms Act after his pistol was allegedly used in the crime.

"Mishra was booked 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," a police officer from the Mumbai Crime Branch said on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, according to the police, Ghosalkar had gone to Noronha's office at IC Colony in Borivali around 7pm when the latter suggested the Sena leader do a Facebook Live to dismiss rumours that all is not well between the two men. "During the Facebook Live, Noronha pumped bullets into Ghosalkar using his bodyguard Mishra's pistol. He then rushed to the mezzanine floor of his office and shot himself in the head," a second police officer said, also not wanting to be named.