Surat police presented shocking details in court about the murder of Range Forest Officer Sonal Solanki. They revealed that her estranged husband, a Regional Transport Office inspector, provided intensive firearms training to his friend to carry out the killing.
Police Seek Additional Charges in Court Application
The Surat police filed an application before the district and Sessions court. They requested the addition of several Arms Act sections to the existing murder complaint. Deputy Superintendent of Police Chirag Vadodariya submitted this application to Judge S M Govani.
Detailed Firearms Training Allegations
According to the police application, Nikunj Goswami purchased a licensed 0.38 bore firearm from Gajanan Gun House on January 20, 2024. He acquired 50 cartridges with this purchase. The inspector later bought 100 more rounds from the same shop on November 25, 2024.
Additional ammunition purchases followed in 2025. Nikunj obtained 90 rounds from Smith Gun House on July 11. He secured another 100 cartridges from Abhay Gun House later that year.
The police application states Nikunj confessed his intentions to his friend Ishwar Goswami. He wanted to kill his estranged wife and gain custody of their son. Nikunj then trained Ishwar extensively in pistol use and target shooting from short distances.
Weapons Acquisition and the Attack
Ishwar Goswami allegedly purchased two country-made pistols from Surajkumar alias Raju Vinay Singh of Bihar. Police have declared this individual wanted in the case. Investigators confirmed Ishwar used one of these pistols to shoot Sonal Solanki.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Digant Tewar explained the training's purpose to The Indian Express. "Nikunj Goswami gave intense training to ensure the target was not missed," Tewar stated. The judge approved the prosecution's arguments for adding Arms Act sections to the complaint.
The Tragic Incident and Investigation
Sonal Solanki, a 34-year-old Range Forest Officer, separated from Nikunj Goswami about a year before her death. Various issues led to their separation. After moving out, Sonal lived with her parents in Jokha village along with her four-year-old son.
The fatal attack occurred on November 6, 2025. Sonal left her home in her car to drop her son at school. An unknown person stopped her vehicle during the journey. This individual shot her in the head before fleeing the scene.
Doctors at a private hospital in Surat performed surgery to remove the bullet from Sonal's head. Her condition remained critical. Medical staff transferred her to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on December 9. She succumbed to her injuries on December 23 while receiving treatment.
Arrests and Current Status
Sonal Solanki's brother filed a complaint at Kamrej police station regarding the shooting. Police arrested Nikunj Goswami and Ishwar Goswami on November 12, 2025. Both suspects remain in judicial custody at Surat Central Jail as the investigation continues.
The court application specifically seeks addition of Arms Act Sections 25(1), 29, and 30. These sections address unauthorized firearm possession, purchasing firearms from unlicensed persons, and punishment for contravening license rules. Judge S M Govani approved the application after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense.
