In a statement released Monday, Maharashtra’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Member of Parliament Sunil Tatkare slammed the shooting death of 45‑year‑old Mangesh Kalokhe in Khopoli as “extremely condemnable.” Tatkare called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to appoint a Special Investigation Team and launch a fast‑track inquiry that aims to bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible.
Kalokhe, a former municipal councillor, was killed on Friday night while returning home on his motorcycle after dropping his children at school. According to police, he was ambushed by attackers in a black car that rammed his bike, then forced him to the ground and struck him with swords, sickles and an axe, killing him on the spot. Kalokhe’s wife, Manasi Kalokhe, who was just elected as a Shiv Sena councillor for Ward 3, later confirmed the tragic incident.
The murder has prompted the filing of an FIR against ten people, with allegations that members of Tatkare’s own NCP wing were involved. The names that appear on the charge sheet include Sudhakar Ghare, the NCP’s Raigad district president, and Bharat Bhagat, a party spokesperson, who are currently on the run.
Tatkare urged that the investigation remain objective and not be influenced by unverified rumors. “We cannot afford to make speculative statements while the police are still working to determine exactly what happened and whether there were any prior disputes,” he said. He also expressed confidence that Ghare was not complicit and pledged to refrain from making remarks that could hamper the probe.
He referenced other political figures in the context of the case, saying, “Let Mahendra Thorve do whatever he wants. Thorve’s past record is reflected in his election affidavit, and the same yardstick applies to Sudhakar Ghare.” He also mentioned state minister Bharat Gogawale, noting that Gogawale’s track record is well known and that he had previously spoken publicly about what it takes to become a leader.
Since the filing of the FIR, police units have been stationed at Mumbai airport and in other districts to prevent suspects from absconding. A 26‑hour manhunt involving eight teams culminated in the arrest of Ravindra Devkar and his son Darshan Devkar in Nagothane after a vehicle chase, according to police reports.
The incident and the ensuing investigation have drawn significant attention to political accountability in the region.
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