Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil’s nephew shot wife intentionally, say cops

AHMEDABAD: What was initially described as an ‘accidental' shooting has now been classified as murder. Police have revised their initial assessment in the Bodakdev shooting case, concluding that Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil's nephew, Yashrajsinh, had shot his wife intentionally before taking his own life late on Wednesday.

The nature of the gunshot injuries rules out an accidental discharge, say police. The assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Jayesh Brahmbhatt registered a murder case against Yashrajsinh on Saturday.


As the investigation progressed, forensic and ballistic evidence raised serious doubts about the claim of accidental firing. Deputy commissioner of police (Zone 1) Harshad Patel said the licensed revolver carried only two bullets, and both had been fired.

"The investigating officer came to the conclusion that the firing was not accidental," Patel said. "In accidental discharge cases, the bullet may go downwards or strike an unintended surface. In this case, the shot hit the base of Rajeshwari's head. If it were accidental, it could not have been at the head level of another person."

The murder complaint filed by ACP Brahmbhatt states that the revolver could not have discharged accidentally.

"The trigger requires a specific deliberate force to operate and cannot be pressed unintentionally," the complaint states. "Therefore, Yashrajsinh Gohil, with the intention of killing his wife Rajeshwari, pressed the trigger and fired a round at the back of her head, killing her."

The FIR further states that evidence suggests Yashrajsinh shot Rajeshwari for "reasons that remain unknown and subsequently ended his own life using the same weapon".

Yashrajsinh, a Class-I officer with the Gujarat Maritime Board, had married Rajeshwari in Nov.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday at a fifth-floor apartment in NRI Tower on Judges Bungalow Road. The couple had returned home around 10.30pm after dinner at a relative's house.

According to Yashrajsinh's mother, Devyaniba, the two were in their bedroom when a shot was fired from Yashrajsinh's licensed revolver, hitting Rajeshwari at the base of her head. Yashrajsinh called the 108 emergency service at 11.42pm. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and declared Rajeshwari dead.

According to Devyaniba's statement, Yashrajsinh appeared shaken and asked her to change her clothes. When Devyaniba and ambulance staff left the room, he shot himself in the head.


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