Crime Branch takes over probe: Gangster Gajanan Marne, henchman instigated attack on IT engineer, police tell court

Jog (33), who required hospitalisation after the attack, said in his complaint that he had gone to Bhelke Nagar area in Kothrud on his two-wheeler on Wednesday. Later, while riding towards Gujrat Colony, he came across a procession marking the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While he was passing through the procession, the accused intercepted him and blamed him for dashing into them. They then allegedly brutally started thrashing him. They then dragged him aside and attacked him with a belt, kicking and punching him till he started to bleed profusely.

Gajanan Marne, who was named as an accused and conspirator in the attack, had surrendered before the Kothrud police station on Monday. The stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was invoked against him in the case and the probe has been handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ganesh Ingale.

On Tuesday, Marne was produced before the court where the police sought his remand for custodial interrogation and further probe. The court remanded him to police custody till March 3. Seeking Marne’s custodial remand, the ACP submitted before the court, “The accused (Gajanan Marne) is a notorious criminal and has perpetrated the brutal attack on the victim at a public place with an intention to murder him. Accused Gajanan Marne and wanted accused Rupesh Marne have instigated the assailants to attack the victim by saying ‘Masti aali aahe salyala mara’ (he is stepping out of line, attack him!). We want to investigate whether the victim and accused Gajanan Marne had any past enmity.”

Officials said that the probe was currently underway to arrest Rupesh Marne.

“Accused is a leader of an organised gang and has terrorised people at large. He is not cooperating with the probe and is giving evasive answers,” ACP Ingale submitted before the court.

Police have conducted searches at 74 locations in Pune and Mulshi at locations and premises linked to Marne and his gang members. Police were also gathering details of the movable and immovable properties of these gangsters and their mobile phone call details are being investigated. Information is being obtained from the PMC about properties in the name of these gangsters.

Gangster Gajanan Marne, who has 27 cases registered against him, had hit headlines in February 2021 when a rally comprising dozens of luxury cars was taken out on the Mumbai Expressway after he was released from Taloja prison. At the time, Marne was released from prison after the court had acquitted him and 13 aides over the lack of evidence in the murder of Santosh Hiraman Gawade alias Pappu, a rival gang member.

The number of arrests made by Pune police in connection to the controversial highway rally had crossed 100 at the time that included many of his gang members and supporters. Close to 30 high end cars that were part of the rally were also seized by Pune police. As the Maharashtra Police were criticised over the rally, multiple cases were slapped against Gajanan and his aides in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Raigad and Navi Mumbai jurisdiction.

One offence was also registered against them for spreading social media posts glorifying the gangster, which were in circulation since his release from Taloja prison. Marne was out on bail till his arrest on Monday.