Mumbai: Two held for Rs 50,000 supari attack on 82-year-old Jain trust official

Two men have been arrested, while the alleged mastermind, Hansraj Verma, remains absconding. Representation pic/istock

Dindoshi police have uncovered an alleged Rs 50,000 supari attack plot aimed at intimidating the management of the MSP Sangh Trust, a Jain charitable organisation based in Upper Govind Nagar, Malad East. Two men have been arrested, while the alleged mastermind, event organiser Hansraj Verma, and his brother remain absconding.

Trust target

Police said Verma had rented a hall owned by the MSP Sangh Trust in 2023. After a new management committee took charge, the agreement was cancelled, and he was asked to vacate the premises. Police believe Verma, unwilling to lose the business that had become his primary source of income, decided to strike back. Investigators allege he then hired assailants to attack the trust's 82-year-old General Secretary, Vasanji Arjunbhai Surti, to create fear among the newly appointed trustees and deter eviction action against him.

Brutal attack

Surti was attacked on April 4, 2026, while returning home after work at the trust office. A police officer told mid-day, "The assailant waiting near the Express Zone building under the Dindoshi Metro bridge struck his left leg with a bamboo stick and fled." The attack left Surti with three fractures, requiring multiple surgeries at Hinduja Hospital.

Digital breakthrough

The Dindoshi police began with almost no leads. Surti told police he had no known enemies and had never seen the attackers before. There was no CCTV footage capturing the incident. The breakthrough came when analysis of call detail records revealed two suspicious mobile numbers whose locations repeatedly appeared in Dindoshi a day before the attack and again on the day of the assault. The suspects, identified as Shrinivasa Selvaraj Pallan, 27, and Ranjeet Pandura Alexander, 43, were detained and arrested.

Supari trail

During interrogation, police claim the accused admitted they were hired to assault Surti for Rs 50,000. Investigators allege Rs 20,000 was paid in cash and the remaining Rs 30,000 transferred online. Police further claim Alexander conducted surveillance on Surti's daily movements before carrying out the attack.

Part of the money was allegedly transferred through the bank account of Verma's brother, Ashok Verma, who is also wanted in the case. Both accused are in judicial custody. Police are continuing efforts to trace Hansraj Verma and his brother Ashok Verma.