Slain gangster Marathi's men were in touch with attackers

Surat: Police investigation in gangster Surya Marathi alias Suresh Pawar and his former aide Hardik Patel's murders revealed that the former’s close associates were in contact with the assailants. Patel along with his six associates had rushed into Marathi's office on Ved Road on Wednesday at around 1.22pm and stabbed him. Patel suffered serious injuries near his private parts during the attack and he collapsed a kilometre away on road while escaping.Police suspect Marathi had stabbed Patel in self- defence. Both died in hospitals. Police had detained five people of Marathi gang and call data analysis of one of them revealed these details.
Meanwhile, police produced Satish alias Satya alias Babu Marathi Dhagde, 29, and Rahul alias Apartment Piple, 24, in a local court which remanded them in police custody until February 20 on Saturday. Police had requested the court for 14 day custody for the duo arrested on Friday. These two are members of Patel gang.
Police sought custody of the accused to trace four persons who were part of the group that attacked the deceased and to recover a car and weapons. Police are also trying to find out from where the accused had purchased the new sim cards before carrying out the murder.
"Role of some other people will also come to light during investigation apart from those who had attacked Marathi. We have so far found that those present outside Marathi's office had talked to Patel," a police officer said.
Police investigation revealed that Patel and other accused involved in the murder met below Jahangirpura bridge before leaving in a car to reach the spot on Ved Road.