According to the police, Sojitra had received an anonymous phone call asking him to collect a parcel from the nearby Vinod STD Booth. He proceeded to collect the parcel from the unknown person and returned with it to his office, where his other two associates were present.

It is learnt that as soon as he opened the parcel there was a massive blast which killed him and Padaria on the spot. Patel was seriously injured. The blast occurred around 2:30 p.m.

Patel, who was moved to an orthopaedic hospital in Rajkot, is reported to be out of danger.

The police are yet to make any arrests in the case. Senior officers, led by Range Inspector-General P L Jani and District Superintendent of Police Satish Sharma are investigating.

Sharma told The Indian Express that although no headway has been made in the investigation, police suspect that enmity over a land deal may have led to the killing.

Police sources in Upleta said that Padaria, 55, was involved in many controversial land deals, and had made several enemies.

Sharma ruled out any political motive behind the killing.

Reacting sharply to the incident, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president C D Patel said the blast occurred in most suspicious circumstances and had left people aghast. He has demanded an impartial probe into the circumstances of the explosion.

Local Congress leader Manoharsinhji Jadeja also ruled out any political motive behind the blast. However, he stated,``This is a very serious thing which needs to be looked into with great concern. We are also trying to investigate into the matter but surprisingly no one is coming forward with any relevant information. Girish was a sincere Congress worker having a good hold among the youth.'' Upleta township had observed a bandh on Saturday afternoon as a mark of respect for the deceased.