‘Godmother’ sons under cloud in councillor death

An independent councillor supporting the BJP in Porbandar Nagarpalika was shot dead and his cousin injured allegedly by the sons of erstwhil...

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An independent councillor supporting the BJP in Porbandar Nagarpalika was shot dead and his cousin injured allegedly by the sons of erstwhile gangster Santokben Jadeja alias ‘Godmother’ on Tuesday.

Keshu Odedara, 45, who sustained multiple bullet injuries in the shootout at Kadiya plot near Kamlabaug, succumbed at a hospital while his cousin Rama Kara survived, said Porbandar SP Ajay Kumar Chowdhary.

Kara lodged a police complaint, identifying the two alleged assassins as Kandhal and Kana, sons of Santokben Jadeja. There were two more persons accompanying the Jadejas, he alleged. The police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the four accused.

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Main accused Kandhal and Kana have several cases pending against them in Porbandar and Rajkot districts and the victim also had a police record. ‘‘Odedara, who was in the limestone business, had eight criminal cases against him. Odedara and Rama Kara were accused of murdering Ramdevsinh, Kandhal’s right-hand man, in 2001. The duo got acquitted a year ago. We are investigating whether this is the reason behind his murder,’’ said Chowdhary, adding the killing could also have been the outcome of a land dispute.

The motive could also be political, said a senior officer, adding: ‘‘Before opening fire, the accused had reportedly called Odedara Babubhai’s man. He could have been referring to BJP leader Babubhai Bokhiriya as Odedara was close to him.’’

The police said Odedara and Kara were on a motorcycle when they were allegedly intercepted by a car. ‘‘Four persons stepped out of the car. Following an argument, Kandhal allegedly shot Odedara at point-blank range,’’ said Chowdhary.