Gandhinagar Murder: Three Arrested as Police Uncover Alleged Conspiracy Behind Murder of 36-Year-Old Driver Near Randheja Village
A shocking murder case in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district has taken a dramatic turn after police arrested three men accused of killing a truck driver in what investigators describe as a pre-planned crime driven by a one-sided romantic obsession.
The case, now widely referred to as the Gandhinagar Murder, came to light after the body of a 36-year-old truck driver was discovered in an abandoned field near Randheja village. Within hours of launching an investigation, police claimed to have solved the case and identified the suspects allegedly involved in the killing.
According to investigators, the main accused was a friend of the victim who had reportedly developed feelings for the victim’s wife. Police allege that his obsession eventually led him to conspire with two associates to eliminate the truck driver.
Body Found in Field Sparks Investigation
The victim, identified as Maganji alias Manoj Prahladji Thakor, worked as a truck driver and was the sole breadwinner of his family. He lived with his wife, Payal, and their three children.
On the morning of June 3, Maganji left home carrying his lunch box and prepared for what appeared to be a normal workday. However, later that day, relatives received distressing information that he had been found lying unconscious in a field near a railway crossing in Randheja village.
Family members and local police rushed to the location. Officers found Maganji lying on the ground with visible injuries. Blood was reportedly seen near his mouth, while marks around his neck immediately raised suspicions about the circumstances of his death.
The body was sent for a post-mortem examination at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital. Medical findings later confirmed that the death was not accidental. Investigators concluded that Maganji had died due to strangulation, turning the case into a murder investigation.
Friendship Allegedly Used to Gain Victim’s Trust
Police say the investigation quickly focused on people known to the victim. During questioning, officers reportedly uncovered a conspiracy involving three men.
The primary accused has been identified as Lala Gabhaji Thakor, a gardener employed by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. Because he was a friend of Maganji, he frequently visited the victim’s home and was familiar with the family.
Investigators allege that during these visits, Lala became infatuated with Maganji’s wife. Although there is no indication that his feelings were reciprocated, police claim he developed a one-sided obsession and eventually began planning to remove Maganji from the picture.
To execute the alleged plan, police say Lala recruited two associates: Suresh Dabhi, a resident of Charedi village, and Digvijay alias Pintu Chauhan from Randheja.
Alleged Murder Planned Under the Guise of a Social Outing
According to the police investigation, the accused used their friendship with Maganji to lure him into a trap.
On June 3, Maganji reportedly learned that there was no work assignment available for him that day and was returning home. At that point, police say Lala contacted him and invited him to join a trip that would include visiting a temple followed by a drinking session.
Trusting his friend, Maganji agreed to meet him.
When he arrived, he allegedly found the other two accused waiting with a rented car that had been hired from Ahmedabad. Police claim the vehicle had been arranged specifically for carrying out the crime.
The four men then set off together, driving around various roads in and around Gandhinagar.
Strangled Inside Moving Vehicle, Police Claim
Investigators believe the murder weapon was a scarf or dupatta purchased earlier by the main accused.
According to police, Maganji was seated in the front passenger seat while the other accused occupied the rear seats. As the vehicle travelled along the Dahegam-Chiloda road, the men sitting behind allegedly wrapped the cloth around Maganji’s neck and pulled it forcefully from behind.
Police allege that the attack occurred inside the moving vehicle, giving the victim little opportunity to defend himself.
After confirming that he was dead, the accused allegedly drove to a deserted area on the outskirts of Randheja village and dumped the body in a field overgrown with shrubs before fleeing the scene.
The discovery of the body later that day triggered the investigation that led to the arrests.
Police Probe Expands as Questions Remain
All three accused have now been taken into custody and are expected to face further questioning. Investigators are seeking court permission for custodial interrogation, which could allow them to reconstruct the crime scene and gather additional evidence.
Meanwhile, police sources have indicated that investigators are also examining whether anyone else may have had knowledge of the alleged plot. Authorities have not announced any additional arrests, but they say all angles are being explored.
Officials have stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that conclusions regarding the involvement of any other individual will depend on evidence collected during the inquiry.
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Community Shocked by the Crime
The Gandhinagar Murder has generated widespread attention because of the disturbing nature of the allegations. Residents of the area have expressed shock that a friendship allegedly became the foundation of a murder conspiracy.
The case also highlights how personal relationships and unresolved obsessions can sometimes escalate into violent crimes. While investigators believe they have identified the motive and those responsible, police say they are continuing to gather evidence to ensure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly examined.
As legal proceedings move forward, authorities are expected to present the accused before the court and continue efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the killing of the truck driver.