28-05-2025
25L ‘supari' put on friend over affair with wife
Surat: Police have cracked the case pertaining to yarn trader Sanjay Padshala, who was shot in the back on May 23. Sleuths of Godadara police and detection of crime branch (DCB) checked footage from 800 cameras to track down a person who was allegedly involved, Haresh Gajera, who revealed the plot to police.
Gajera said Padshala had had an affair with the wife of his friend, Bhupat Dhaduk. Dhaduk paid Gajera Rs 25 lakh to arrange the contract killing (supari killing) of Padshala.
Padshala was shot on the morning of May 23 when he was near the bridge at Parvat village. The bullet lodged in his back and he underwent surgery to remove it.
During their investigation, police noticed a suspect on a motorcycle in several key bits of CCTV footage.
This person was traced back to an apartment at Shivam Residency in Kamrej, which was found to belong to Haresh Gajera. Police arrested Gajera, who spilled the beans on the conspiracy.
"Three months ago, Dhaduk had told Gajera that Padshala had been a good friend but betrayed him and had an 18-month affair with Dhaduk's wife. Dhaduk told Gajera to kill Padshala at any cost and Gajera took Rs 25 lakh for the killing.
Gajera contacted Ravi Pradhan, who used to work as a driver at his embroidery unit a few years ago.
Pradhan demanded Rs 20 lakh for the killing and took Rs 1 lakh in advance from Gajera.
Pradhan then called three contract killers, who stayed at Gajera's flat in Kamrej on May 15. After conducting reconnaissance for a few days, one of them finally shot Padshala," the investigating officer said.
After the shooting, Ravi called Gajera on May 24 and demanded the remaining Rs 19 lakh. Gajera met Ravi near Kharwasa Bridge and handed over the money.
"The prime accused, Dhaduk, left his home after the shooting and is still at large. Ravi Pradhan has also left Surat with his family. We are yet to arrest three others — the shooter and his two aides," an officer said.
