Surat builder shoots himself days before daughter’s wedding; lover arrested for abetment

SURAT: A woman was arrested in connection with the suicide of leading builder Tushar Ghelani who had shot himself on Feb 1, days before his daughter's wedding.

On the complaint lodged by Ghelani's daughter Tanvi, the police arrested Poonam Bhadoriya with whom the deceased had an extra-marital affair as stated in the FIR.

Investigators have also collected documentary evidence related to properties and funds allegedly received by Bhadoriya.

The complaint was based on details her father allegedly shared with her shortly before he shot himself.

According to the FIR, Ghelani received multiple phone calls from Bhadoriya on the night of Jan 31 and appeared deeply disturbed afterward. Tanvi alleged that her father told her Bhadoriya was threatening to create a scene at the wedding function.

Tanvi further alleged that Bhadoriya received Rs 1.37 crore from Blue Papillon pre-school in Vesu, owned by Ghelani, and had also drawn additional money apart from her salary under the guise of partnership. The complaint states that two shops at Jolly Arcade, collectively valued at around Rs 1 crore and owned by Ghelani, were transferred in Bhadoriya's name.

"We have collected documents related to the claims made in the FIR. No payment was made to Ghelani for the shops, and the cheques issued were backdated," a police officer said.

Investigators suspect that Bhadoriya was pressuring Ghelani in an attempt to extort money and assets, which allegedly drove him to take the extreme step.

Police said Bhadoriya made repeated calls to Ghelani hours before his death. Following these calls, Ghelani reportedly contacted the accused's sister, requesting her to persuade Bhadoriya not to create any trouble until Tanvi's wedding. Her sister has confirmed this to the police.

In her complaint, Tanvi stated that her father had confided in her about the relationship and alleged that Bhadoriya harassed him by exploiting it. On an earlier occasion, when Ghelani was distressed over the alleged harassment, Tanvi confronted Bhadoriya, leading to a heated argument between the two.