In a major breakthrough, Avinash Dhodi, the prime accused in the abduction and murder of his brother, Shiv Sena leader Ashok Dhodi, was arrested from Silvassa in the early hours of Sunday after evading capture for five months.
Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh confirmed that the 60-year-old was apprehended from Morkhal following a tip-off. A magistrate remanded him to police custody until June 14. With this arrest, the number of people detained in the case has risen to six, while three others remain absconding.
The crime traces back to January 19, when Ashok Dhodi was abducted while returning to his home from Dahanu. According to police, Avinash and his accomplices intercepted Ashok’s car at Vevji Ghat, forcibly abducted him, murdered him, and dumped both his body and vehicle in a water-filled quarry at Sarigam Wadiapada in Gujarat.
Ashok Dhodi’s body was discovered on January 23, four days after he was reported missing. The motive was allegedly a property dispute, stemming from Ashok’s application to the Vevji Gram Panchayat seeking cancellation of a house lease, which led to Avinash’s eviction.
An FIR was filed at Gholwad Police Station on January 27, invoking multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including:
Section 103(1) – Murder
Section 238(A) – Kidnapping
Section 140(3) & 140(1) – Abduction with intent to murder or extortion
Section 351(2) – Criminal intimidation
SP Deshmukh revealed that Avinash was initially detained shortly after Ashok went missing, but he escaped from custody. The lapse prompted disciplinary action, including the suspension of one officer, show-cause notices to eight others, and the transfer of the then in-charge of Gholwad Police Station.
Police had launched a wide-ranging search, conducting operations in Gholwad, Umargaon, Vapi, Diu Daman, Silvassa, Indore, and Rajasthan, before finally locating the fugitive in Silvassa.
Authorities continue to investigate and are pursuing the remaining accused.
