His assassin was Nathuram Godse , an advocate of Hindu nationalism , a member of the political party the Hindu Mahasabha , and a past member of the Hindu nationalist paramilitary volunteer organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS ) .

Godse considered Gandhi to have been too accommodating Assistance to Muslims during the Partition of India of the previous year .

As Gandhi began Process_start to walk Self_motion toward the dais , Godse stepped Self_motion out from the crowd flanking Gandhi 's path , and fired Use_firearm three bullets into Gandhi 's chest and abdomen at point-blank range .

Godse was captured Arrest by members of the crowd and handed over Giving to the police .

The Gandhi murder Killing trial Criminal_investigation opened Process_start in May 1948 in Delhi 's historic Red Fort , with Godse the main defendant , and his collaborator Narayan Apte and six others as the co-defendants .

Godse and Apte were sentenced Legal_rulings to death Death on 8 November 1949 .