Ahmedabad Police Reclassify Bodakdev Shooting as Murder, Not Accident
In a significant development in the Bodakdev shooting case, Ahmedabad police have officially revised their initial assessment, now classifying the incident as murder rather than an accidental discharge. The case involves Yashrajsinh Gohil, nephew of Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil, who is accused of intentionally shooting his wife, Rajeshwari, before taking his own life late on Wednesday.
Forensic and Ballistic Evidence Contradicts Initial Claims
Police authorities have stated that the nature of the gunshot injuries and subsequent forensic analysis have ruled out the possibility of an accidental firing. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jayesh Brahmbhatt registered a murder case against Yashrajsinh on Saturday, marking a pivotal shift in the investigation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Harshad Patel elaborated on the findings, noting that the licensed revolver involved contained only two bullets, both of which had been discharged. "The investigating officer concluded that the firing was not accidental," Patel said. "In cases of accidental discharge, bullets typically travel downwards or strike unintended surfaces. Here, the shot hit the base of Rajeshwari's head, which would be improbable if it were accidental, as it aligns with the head level of another person."
Police Complaint Details Deliberate Action
The murder complaint filed by ACP Brahmbhatt provides further insight, asserting 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, resulting in her death."
The First Information Report (FIR) adds that evidence suggests Yashrajsinh shot Rajeshwari for reasons that remain unknown, and subsequently ended his own life using the same weapon.
Background of the Incident and Sequence of Events
Yashrajsinh, a Class-I officer with the Gujarat Maritime Board, had married Rajeshwari in November. The tragic incident occurred late on Wednesday at a fifth-floor apartment in NRI Tower on Judges Bungalow Road in Ahmedabad. The couple had returned home around 10:30 PM after having dinner at a relative's house.
According to the statement from Yashrajsinh's mother, Devyaniba, the two were in their bedroom when a shot was fired from Yashrajsinh's licensed revolver, striking Rajeshwari at the base of her head. Yashrajsinh then called the 108 emergency service at 11:42 PM. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and declared Rajeshwari dead.
Devyaniba recounted that Yashrajsinh appeared shaken and asked her to change her clothes. When she and the ambulance staff left the room, he shot himself in the head, completing the tragic sequence of events.
This reclassification underscores the meticulous police investigation and the role of forensic evidence in uncovering the truth behind what was initially perceived as an accident. The case continues to unfold as authorities delve deeper into the motives and circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident in Ahmedabad.
