May 1: Crime Branch sleuths have recovered two cars used by the assassins of Vallabhbhai Thakkar, mill owner and a builder last month.According to a senior Crime Branch officer, the two Maruti 800s, one light blue and the other red, were seized during police `nakabandi'. Vital finger prints have been recorded.

The officers have also stumbled upon some equipments which could lead to Thakkar's murderers.Joint commissioner (crime) R S Sharma told Express Newsline that police have launched a massive manhunt to nab Sada Pawle. The ace hitman has been eluding arrest for quite sometime now.Thakkar was gunned down on April 17 by two unidentified assailants near Raghuvanshi Mill. The assailants shot him from close range through his forehead. He died on the spot.

The police, after questioning the witnesses, have come to the conclusion that Sada (Mama) Pawle could have masterminded the `game'. The Crime Branch officers have evidence suggesting that Pawle was in the city on the day Thakkar was shot.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.