Surat Gangster Satish Maratha Shot Dead in Gang Rivalry, Nine Detained

A 32-year-old alleged gangster, Satish Dhagde alias Satish Maratha, was killed in a daylight attack in the Bhestan area on Wednesday, police said. He was travelling in a car with a woman friend when motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted the vehicle and attacked him. The killing took place in front of the woman and triggered an immediate police investigation.

According to investigators, Maratha was targeted as part of an ongoing rivalry between criminal groups seeking influence over Bhestan, an industrial neighbourhood with a large migrant population. Police suspect the attack was planned in advance and was intended to strengthen the rival group’s control over the area. The assailants allegedly waylaid Maratha’s car before carrying out the fatal assault and fleeing the scene.

Police detained nine people in connection with the murder, including three minors. The juveniles were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and subsequently sent to a remand home. The adult accused included Ketan Sirsath, Rahul Dubey, Karan Dubey, Ajit Goswami and Akash Thakur, among others. Investigators are examining the individual roles allegedly played by each suspect in planning and executing the attack.

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The preliminary investigation indicated that the murder conspiracy was allegedly developed inside Lajpore Central Jail. Police believe members of the rival group communicated with associates outside the prison and coordinated the attack on Maratha. Officers are analysing telephone records, prison contacts and other technical evidence to determine how instructions were passed and whether additional people participated in the alleged conspiracy.

Maratha was reportedly involved in several criminal cases and had links to an earlier gang operating in Surat. Investigators believe that longstanding hostility between the groups intensified as they competed for dominance and local influence. Police are also examining whether the latest killing was connected to previous violent incidents involving members of the rival gangs or was carried out in retaliation for an earlier dispute.

The arrests were made during operations conducted after investigators collected information from the crime scene and questioned possible witnesses. Police are continuing efforts to recover the weapons and vehicles allegedly used in the attack and establish a complete sequence of events. The accused have not been convicted, and the allegations against them remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

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