Builder lodges complaint against gangster

A builder has lodged a complaint against gangster Pappu alias Swaroop Patankar of Talegaon and an accomplice for kidnapping him and extorting Rs 5 lakh for his release.

The builder,Girish Atmaram Junvane (40),is a resident of Aundh and he has lodged the complaint at the Chatuhshringi police station.

According to the police,Patankar had met the builder earlier in Nashik. On Sunday afternoon,Patankar had taken Junvane to Aundh in a car for showing some land.

On reaching Aundh,Patankar’s accomplice pointed a revolver at Junvane and demanded Rs 15 lakh from him. Junvane shouted for help,but was of no use as the windows of the car were shut.

Meanwhile,the gangsters took the car to Lonavla. One of the gangsters said he was arrested in the Sandeep Mohol murder case and he wanted the money for getting bail from the Mumbai High Court. The gangsters later agreed to a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.

Junvane then contacted his wife and told her to come to a hotel in Aundh with the money. The gangsters took the money and escaped.

Police inspector A N Kadam of Chatushringi police station said Patankar had committed a similar crime in Deccan Gymkhana earlier.

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The police have launched a search for Patankar and his accomplice.

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