₹50 lakh transaction leads police to close aide for plotting Vasai businessman’s murder
50 Lakh Transaction Leads Police to Arrest Vasai Murder Plot Aide
Bharatmorningnews.com – A ₹50 lakh transaction leads police to close in on the mastermind behind a murder plot targeting a prominent Vasai businessman. The financial trail, rather than eyewitness accounts, ultimately exposed the conspiracy to eliminate Mohansingh Laxmansingh Parmar, owner of GSM Foils Ltd. This money transfer helped authorities identify Sagar Bhanusali, Parmar’s trusted business associate, as the architect behind the attempted killing.
The Botched Shooting Attempt
On July 25, Parmar had just exited his company’s premises at Diamond Industrial Estate in Waliv, Vasai East. Two individuals on a motorcycle quickly intercepted him. One assailant discharged a weapon, sending a bullet into Parmar’s shoulder. When a second shot came flying, the businessman managed to deflect it before the attacker struck him multiple times with the pistol’s handle.
In a twist of fate, Bhanusali emerged as one of the first people to assist the wounded entrepreneur. He hurried Parmar to Riddhivinayak Hospital in Nalasopara and promptly notified law enforcement, positioning himself as a helpful figure during the early investigation phase.
“Bhanusali was completely off our radar because he himself took the injured to the hospital. Parmar and his entire family trusted him,” Ghuge said.
Financial Motive Behind the Plot
According to police accounts, Bhanusali experienced substantial setbacks in international gold trading following tensions between America and Iran. As a relatively new partner in the firm, he could not yet liquidate his company shares. Investigators believe he convinced Parmar to sell his own stake instead, utilizing those funds to settle Bhanusali’s ₹32 crore loan obligations to various creditors.
Records show Parmar initially sent ₹50 lakh directly to Bhanusali, while covering the remaining debt payments to lenders. Police allege that after clearing these obligations, Bhanusali began orchestrating Parmar’s elimination to permanently avoid repayment and secure full ownership of the enterprise.
“When I saw the transaction of ₹50 lakh, I questioned Parmar but he was tight-lipped about it,” Ghuge said.
How the Murder Plan Unfolded
Approximately four months prior to the incident, Bhanusali allegedly approached Vijay Kumar Vishwakarma, a money transaction operator based in Goregaon. He reportedly offered ₹30 lakh for assistance in carrying out the murder scheme.
Vishwakarma then reached out to an acquaintance in Uttar Pradesh to secure a pistol from Manoj Thathera for ₹40,000 and organize a professional shooter. Police identified the hired gun as Sujit Pandey. “Neither Vijay nor the shooters have any criminal background,” Ghuge noted.
Pandey and the motorcycle driver reportedly arrived in Vasai fifteen days before the shooting, conducting area surveillance under Bhanusali’s direction. On the attack day, both men left their cell phones with Vishwakarma and donned face masks to prevent identification through surveillance footage.
Arrests and Investigation Update
Following the botched attempt, the motorcycle rider escaped toward Uttar Pradesh through Bhiwandi, while Pandey traveled by train to Vapi and lodged with a family member. The getaway vehicle was reportedly abandoned on a highway, later retrieved by another individual and transported to Anup Prajapati’s garage in Goregaon, where investigators confirmed it was dismantled.
Seven individuals appeared before a court on Saturday and were remanded to police custody through August 5. Sagar Bhanusali, who joined GSM Foils Ltd just three years ago after working as its chartered accountant, now faces charges for the alleged conspiracy. The company boasts an annual turnover of approximately ₹35,000 crore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main evidence that led police to Bhanusali? The ₹50 lakh transaction from Parmar to Bhanusali served as the primary evidence. This money transfer, combined with Bhanusali’s financial troubles and his unusual behavior after the shooting, helped police connect him to the murder plot.
How much money was Bhanusali trying to avoid repaying? Bhanusali had accumulated approximately ₹32 crore in loan obligations to various creditors. He used Parmar’s money to clear these debts, planning to reimburse within six months before orchestrating the murder.
Where did the shooters come from? The professional shooter, Sujit Pandey, and the motorcycle driver were brought in from Uttar Pradesh. They arrived in Vasai fifteen days before the incident to conduct surveillance.
What is the current status of the accused? Seven individuals, including Bhanusali, have been remanded to police custody through August 5. All are facing charges related to the murder conspiracy.