Police probing mephedrone racket links of woman who planned Lalit Patil’s escape

A resident of Nashik, Lalit was lodged in Yerwada jail following his arrest by Pimpri Chinchwad police in connection with the seizure of 20 kg mephedrone worth Rs 20 crore from Chakan in October 2020. But, Lalit often reported medical issues and managed to get himself admitted at Sassoon hospital for “treatment”. Thereon, in a series of incidents, and probes, police found that Lalit was running the drug racket from the hospital. During the probe, Patil fled the hospital around 7.40 pm on October 2.

As per the probe, after moving out of hospital, Patil went to a hotel nearby from where he escaped in a car. Police arrested the car driver Dattatraya Doke (40) of Hadapsar on October 6. Police further arrested Kamble and Nikam in this case as a probe revealed they allegedly held multiple meetings with Patil in Pune before his escape. Police said the women and other accused allegedly “conspired” for the last “two to three months” and planned Lalit’s escape from custody. Police said after escaping Patil had a meeting with Kamble and Nikam in Nashik on October 4 and October 5, where the women allegedly gave him Rs 25 lakh cash.

Police have named his brother Bhushan Patil, aide Abhishek Balkawade, Sachin Wagh and others, as wanted accused in this case.

Police had arrested Lalit’s brother Bhushan Patil and Balkawade in the mephedrone seizure case on October 11, and on Monday, remanded them to magisterial custody. Police are likely to take them in custody again for probing their role in Lalit’s escape from hospital. Mumbai police arrested Lalit Patil from Chennai on October 17.