Following the fatal assault on journalist Manish Shah by unknown assailants, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested four men and detained one person in connection with the case.
Shah was attacked on June 1 while riding his motorcycle to his office, where he was stopped and assaulted with a knife on his legs. The attackers also threatened to kill him. Despite lodging a complaint at the Riverfront East police station and receiving treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Shah succumbed to his injuries on June 4.
Initially, a case was registered under IPC sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (2) (criminal intimidation), and 114 (abetment). The investigation was later transferred to the Ahmedabad crime branch, which will now add charges under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
It was revealed that Shah had conflicts with various individuals, including his neighbor Mahipalsinh Champavat (27). Champavat admitted that his elder brother Yuvrajsinh was in a relationship with Shah’s wife. In 2021, Shah allegedly forced his wife to file a rape FIR against Yuvrajsinh, leading to his arrest. Despite being released on bail with restrictions, Shah continued to have altercations with Champavat’s family members, resulting in him filing an FIR against Mahipalsinh as well. Subsequently, Mahipalsinh allegedly orchestrated a plan to hire individuals to threaten and assault Shah.
Mahipalsinh contacted Shaktisinh Chauhan, who then connected him with Akash alias Akku Vaghela (22), who was paid Rs 2 lakh to carry out the attack. Akash then hired Aniket Ode (20) and Vikas alias Viku Ode (23) and paid them Rs 1.20 lakh – Rs 70,000 to Aniket and Rs 50,000 to Vikas. Shaktisinh received Rs 30,000, while Akash pocketed Rs 50,000, according to police reports.
On Friday, Mahipalsinh, Akash, Aniket, and Vikas were arrested, while Shaktisinh was detained. They are scheduled to appear before the court on Saturday. The police have stated that Shah’s wife is not implicated in the alleged contract to harm him.
