From modest beginnings, Shinde built business with defence sector as client

Vishal Lokhande, Shinde’s brother-in-law, who is also the complainant in the case registered with Patna police, spoke to The Indian Express about Shinde’s modest background and his journey of building a successful metal casting company, Ratnadeep Castings in Khedshivapur near Pune.

“Words cannot begin to describe the ordeal we’ve endured over the past few days. We are still struggling to comprehend how our family will cope with this enormous loss. He was a simple, loving, and grounded person — a man whose humility remained untouched by success in business. He was someone who was always there to help. His family hails from Solapur, from a village named Maroli in Mangalvedha taluka, and he came from very modest beginnings. As a child, he worked in sugarcane fields. Despite all odds, he got admission to the College of Engineering Pune (COEP). When he came to Pune for his admission he had to sleep at Swargate bus stand. He didn’t even have the money to pay his fees. It was the principal of COEP at the time who personally stepped in and paid the fees for him. His life was a story of struggle and grit,” Lokhande said.

“After graduating from COEP in Metallurgy, he pursued his post graduate studies and completed MTech. He worked in the private sector with various companies for a while. Around 2010-11 he started working on his dream of establishing his own business. He had built the Ratnadeep Castings on his own. Over the years, the unit has become a trusted name in the metal casting, forging and precision machines sector. The unit had one of the largest production of particular items in the country. The unit supplies to various sectors and also has some clients from the Defence sector. It also has several clients abroad and has a strong export portfolio.” Lokhande said.

“He was very conscious about his health and fitness and used to exercise regularly. He is survived by his mother, wife, two children and the rest of our extended family. His daughter who is pursuing an MBA and son who is pursuing a degree in Metallurgy like his father.” He added.

When asked about the probe, Lokhande said, “We are deeply grateful to both the Patna and Pune police for handling this investigation with such sensitivity and commitment. From the very beginning, they kept us informed at every step. Senior officers, along with members of the investigation teams from both cities, have been in constant touch with us. When we arrived in Patna on the morning of April 13, the police teams provided us with immediate updates on the case. Since then, they have stayed in close communication — even late at night — patiently responding to every call and query. We sincerely hope that the investigation now moves toward its logical conclusion and that those responsible receive the maximum possible punishment under the law.”