Arrested suspect wanted to start his own gang, say cops

The interrogation report of arrested histroy-sheeter Vijay Mahadik alias Raju has revealed he was in the midst of recruiting youngsters to start his own gang and target octroi agents. Mahadik and an aide, who was also arrested, were looking for targets, but had not chosen anyone, crime branch officers said.

Mahadik (37) was picked up on June 12. Interrogators believe that his interest in octroi was piqued when he carried out an attack on Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Ghadge in Thane in July 2012. “Both Ghadge and the main accused, Mandar Bhosale, were involved in octroi evasion. Bhosale felt that Ghadge was trying to eliminate him. Working with Bhosale, Mahadik learnt he could make a lot of money by concentrating only on octroi agents. He had begun recruiting and was engaged in the planning his operations,” said the officer. The crime branch caught one of his aides, Ravindra Bhaur, alias Baccha, 22, on June 19.

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Mahadik has been charged in two crimes under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), three cases of extortion and numerous body offences, the crime branch said. During various stints in jail, he met Farid Tanasha, Ravi Mallesh Bora alias D K Rao and Dharmesh Shah alias Nannu Shah, all members of the Chhota Rajan gang.

“He became especially friendly with Shah, who tasked him with shooting at labour union leaders of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in Turbhe in 2007.,” said the officer. “He felt that all the people he had worked for had used him and paid him a pittance. Mahadik felt that he would be respected only if he started operating independently,” said the officer.

A few days before his arrest last month, Mahadik allegedly threatened to shoot a youngster in Bhiwandi and then stripped and assaulted him.
srinath.rao@expressindia.com