Former BJP MLA Jayantilal Bhanushali has been shot dead inside a train late last night. As per reports, Bhanushali was travelling in the Sayaji Nagri Express when unknown assailants boarded the train and fired upon him.
Gujarat: Former BJP MLA Jayantilal Bhanushali was shot dead by unknown assailants onboard Sayji Nagri Express between Kataria-Surbari stations, last night; Police investigation underway
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019
According to reports, Jyantilal Bhanushali was travelling from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in an AC coach. The crime is believed to have been committed somewhere before Maliya Miyana near Morbi junction. Unknown assailants reportedly boarded the train and fired upon Bhanushali. He died on the spot. Reports say that two bullets had been fired upon him, one on the chest and one near the eye.
Police reportedly received a message about the murder around 1.30 in the night that one passenger in the First AC coach of 19116 Sayaji Nagri Express has been shot between the Kataria and Surbari stations.
Bhanushali was a former BJP MLA from Abadasa constituency. He was also the vice president of the BJP unit in Kutch. About six months back, a 21-year-old woman had filed a case against him alleging rape. Following the allegations, Bhanushali was ousted from the BJP. However, the case was later settled when the woman stated in the High Court that she does not want to pursue the case any longer.