Andheri killer often threatened people with gun

Harish Marolia, the retired customs officer who shot his 14-year-old neighbour dead and was shot down by the police on Thursday, used to threaten people with his revolver. The 65-year-old would frequently terrorise children playing at the Andheri Sports Complex with his gun, the police said, reports Rachna Pratihar and Manish Pachouly.

Harish Marolia, the retired customs officer who shot his 14-year-old neighbour dead and was shot down by the police on Thursday, used to threaten people with his revolver. The 65-year-old would frequently terrorise children playing at the Andheri Sports Complex with his gun, the police said.

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A member of the Complex, Marolia would brandish his gun at the children for being loud and unruly. “He was in the habit of flaunting his authority and using his power,” a police officer said, requesting anonymity.

The DN Nagar police have recovered 200 to 250 live cartridges from Marolia’s third-floor flat in Saujanya society, where he shot Class 9 student Hemini Mehta. “Most cartridges have been with him since the time he was in service,” said an officer, requesting anonymity.

Statements made by former colleagues reinforce the theory that Marolia constantly sought power. Officers who have worked with him said he took voluntary retirement because he was not getting important postings where he had power.

“His attitude did not keep him in his seniors’ good books, which is probably why he didn’t get good postings,” said a former colleague. Marolia is said to have quit after he got several obscure postings. “As he was not getting important postings he applied for voluntary retirement,” another ex-colleague said.

An official at Andheri Sports Complex said they did not get any complaint.