Palghar: Family Suspects Kidnapping After Mysterious Disappearance Of Shiv Sena Leader Ashok Dhodi

Palghar, Maharashtra: In a baffling turn of events, senior Shiv Sena (Shinde) party worker and former Dahanu-Talasari Assembly coordinator, Ashok Dhodi, has been missing since the evening of January 20, 2024. The family believes that he has been kidnapped after he made a phone call to his wife, but never returned home. A missing persons report was filed with the police at the Gholvad Police station on January 22, 2024.

Palghar Superintendent of Police (SP) Balasaheb Patil confirmed that an FIR has been filed against Dhodi’s brother and two of his friends. Patil explained, “The family has filed an FIR today, and it appears to be a case stemming from a family dispute. We have examined the CCTV footage showing his car, tracked his mobile phone, and spoken to eyewitnesses. Special investigative teams, including the local crime branch, are looking into all angles of the case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are focused on locating Dhodi as soon as possible.”

According to Dhodi’s wife, he had traveled to Mumbai by train on the evening of January 19 and returned on the following day. On January 20, as he was on his way home along the Dahanu-Gholvad road, he called her to inform her to prepare dinner. However, after that phone call, his phone was turned off, and he did not return home. Dhodi's wife is certain that her husband has been abducted.

Kundan Sankhe, a senior Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader, confirmed that the party members are in regular contact with the police, who are actively investigating the case. He pointed out that CCTV footage had shown Dhodi’s car, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Sankhe urged for a swift resolution, stressing that as a senior party worker, Dhodi’s disappearance requires urgent attention.