The war of supremacy between criminal gangs has spilled more blood in the city. In the latest showdown, the dreaded Gajanan Marne gang allegedly gunned down a member of the Nilesh Ghaywal gang near Vaikunth crematorium in Navi Peth area in broad daylight on Saturday. This is second death in a gang war this month. Amol Hari Badhe of Hanuman Nagar, known to be an active member of the Ghaywal gang was killed and his aides Santosh Nagu Kamble and Lakhan Lokhande were injured in the attack. Primary investigation revealed that about eight members of Marne gang were involved. On November 4, Santosh Hiraman Gawade (28) a close aide of Nilesh Ghaywal was killed in Lavale. Police said Badhe, Kamble and Lonkhade had gone to the crematorium on Saturday afternoon to attend the last rites of a friend’s father. After the ritual, the trio were moving towards Rajendra Nagar on motorcycle when they were intercepted by some members of the Gajanan Marne gang. Their four-wheeler knocked the bike down, and the three fell on the ground. The Marne gang opned fire but the trio got up and tried to flee.Some Marne gang members on motorcycles opened fire at them. The killers fled. On getting to know about the incident, a police team rushed to the spot. Police said the three were found in a pool of blood and were taken to hospital where Badhe was pronounced dead. The attack took place in Anad Bag area near Vaikunth crematorium. Some people residing in the area were offering prayers at Parmarth Niketan temple nearby, when the attack spread panic in the usually placid area. Top police officials visited the scene of crime. An offence of murder was registered against Marne and seven aides Vicky Bandal, Rupesh Marne, Sagar Rajput, Balaji Kadam, Sagar Dimble, Vishal Dimble and Nikhil Bubhai, at Vishrambag police station. An extensive search operation was launched for the Marne gang members. Police said it was a well-planned attack. Marne gang got a tip-off that Badhe and his aides were going to atend the rites at the crematorium. The Marne gang kept a watch on them and attacked them. Ghaywal gang hitman arrested, pistol seized The anti-extortion cell of the Pune police crime branch arrested Santosh Anand Dhumal (30) of Right Bhusari Colony on Friday. Police said Dhumal was planning to eliminate Gajanan Marne to avenge the murder of Santosh Hiraman Gawade on November 4 for which Marne gang was blamed. Police recovered a pistol and a live cartridge from Dhumal. Police said there have been several clashes between the two gangs in the past. In 2008, members of the Marne gang opened fire on Ghaywal and Gawade and attempted to kill them in Shastrinagar area. In retaliation, Sachin Kudle of the Marne gang was murdered in 2010 in Kothrud and Gawade was accused in the case. Marne gang murdered Gawade by attacking him with sharp weapons in Lavale. Police suspect Ghaywal gang wanted to settle scores and Dhumal planned to murder Marne. A day after Dhumal was arrested, the Marne gang murdered Badhe. Gajanan Marne, booked along with Pappu Kudle, brother of Sachin in Gawade murder case, is on the run.
