Mumbai, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Maharashtra NCP chief and MP, Sunil Tatkare, strongly condemned the murder of Mangesh Kalokhe (45) in Khopoli, labeling the act as “deeply condemnable”. He urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate this tragic event.

Kalokhe, a former councillor and the spouse of Manasi Kalokhe, the recently elected Shiv Sena councillor from Ward No. 3, was fatally attacked in Khopoli, located in the Raigad district.

Tatkare called on the Chief Minister to broaden the investigation's scope and emphasized the necessity for a rapid inquiry to ensure the swift capture of all perpetrators.

He also urged investigative bodies to avoid being swayed by unverified information, claiming that numerous allegations linked to the case are unfounded.

He stated that it was inappropriate to make speculative remarks while the investigation is ongoing, adding that law enforcement would eventually determine the facts and whether any prior disputes were relevant.

Assuring that the party’s Raigad district president, Sudhakar Ghare, held no involvement—direct or indirect—in the matter, Tatkare refrained from further remarks that might obstruct the investigation.

“Let Mahendra Thorve act as he pleases. Thorve’s past is evident in his election affidavit, and the same criteria should apply to Sudhakar Ghare,” Tatkare stated.

He also mentioned state minister Bharat Gogawale, asserting that his history is well-documented and that Gogawale had previously spoken about leadership requirements at a rally in Malvan.

Tatkare's comments came after an FIR was lodged against ten individuals, following allegations from the Shiv Sena concerning the involvement of NCP members in Kalokhe's murder. Notable names in the FIR include Sudhakar Ghare and Bharat Bhagat, an NCP spokesperson, both of whom are currently on the run.

Officials confirmed that police units have been stationed at Mumbai airport and other locations to prevent the suspects from escaping.

Police reported that Kalokhe was returning home on his motorcycle Friday after dropping his children off at school when he was ambushed by assailants in a black vehicle. The attackers collided with his motorcycle, restrained him, and assaulted him with swords, sickles, and an axe, resulting in his immediate death.

Raigad Police have escalated their operations to apprehend the suspects. After a 26-hour manhunt involving eight police teams, two primary suspects—Ravindra Devkar and his son Darshan Devkar—were captured in Nagothane following a car chase.