Mumbai Crime Branch Recovers Motorcycle Linked to Airoli RTI Activist Shooting
In a significant breakthrough, the Mumbai Crime Branch Unit-1 has successfully recovered the motorcycle used in the Airoli firing incident that left RTI activist Amit Maurya, 40, with a bullet injury near his neck. The bike was discovered abandoned on the roadside in Mumbra, as confirmed by reports from George Mendonca.
Details of the Violent Attack
The shocking incident unfolded on Monday night at approximately 11:45 PM. Amit Maurya and his friend Sandeep Gavas, 44, were standing near Gavas's parked Multi-Utility Vehicle (MUV) when a helmet-wearing assailant on a motorcycle approached them. The biker brandished a pistol and fired multiple rounds in their direction.
As Maurya and Gavas attempted to dodge the bullets, two rounds struck the MUV's windscreen. When the duo began running for safety, the attacker fired two additional shots. One bullet pierced Maurya's neck near his left ear, while the other bullet aimed at Gavas hit a roadside wall instead.
Police Investigation and Recovery
Law enforcement officials immediately launched a thorough investigation into the attempted murder. A police source revealed that CCTV camera footage from the area was meticulously scanned, allowing authorities to track the shooter's movements on the motorcycle. Although the perpetrator's identity remained concealed due to the helmet, the bike's registration number was clearly captured on surveillance cameras.
The motorcycle was located abandoned in Mumbra during the early hours of Wednesday. Using the registration number, police obtained the owner's details from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). It was subsequently determined that the vehicle had been stolen from Sanpada prior to the attack.
Victim's Medical Condition and Ongoing Probe
Amit Maurya underwent emergency surgery at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, where doctors successfully removed the bullet lodged near his neck. Police confirmed that his condition is now stable, and he has been transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to a general ward for continued recovery.
Regarding the motive behind the shooting, a police officer familiar with the case stated, "At this stage, we cannot definitively confirm whether this was a contract killing. The precise motive behind the murder attempt will only become clear once the shooter is apprehended."
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to pursue leads to identify and arrest the helmet-wearing assailant responsible for this violent attack on the RTI activist.
