Pune police form special squad to keep watch on gangsters during civic polls

“An updated list of gangsters and gang members has been formed and circulated to all branches, units and police stations for regular monitoring. The special squad will keep an eye on those gangsters who will either be contesting the civic polls or participate in the election campaign of other candidates in the city,” said Kumar while addressing the annual press conference on Monday.

On December 27, Bandu Andekar (70), his sister-in-law Lakshmi Udaykant Andekar (60) and daughter-in-law Sonali Vanraj Andekar (35), were brought from Yerwada jail to the Bhavani Peth ward office of the PMC, amid police bandobast, to file their nomination for the upcoming civic elections.

However, their nomination forms were incomplete and hence not accepted by the election officials. They may again submit their forms on Tuesday—the last day for filing nominations.

A video of Bandu Andekar, raising his hand and making a victory sign with his fingers, even after being tied with a rope by the police, went viral. Walking through the ward office premises, Andekar gave slogans “neki ka kaam, Andekar ka naam (Andekar’s name means good work)” and “Andekarana mat, vikasala mat (vote for Andekar means vote for development)”. He also shouted that he is a candidate and not a gangster.

This year witnessed some sensational gang war crimes that shook Pune city. Following a family feud, members of the Andekar gang allegedly shot dead Bandu Andekar’s grandson Ayush Komkar at Bhavani Peth in Pune on September 5 this year.

Police said Ayush’s father was among the key accused arrested for the murder of Bandu’s son Vanraj Andekar, a former NCP Corporator in September last year. Police said to avenge Vanraj’s death, Andekar gang allegedly eliminated Ayush. The police arrested 16 people, including Bandu Andekar, his son Krushna Andekar, Lakshmi Andekar, Sonali Andekar, Swaraj Wadekar, and others, in the Ayush Komkar murder case.

65 bank accounts linked to four gangs frozen

As per data available with the Pune city police, as many as 65 bank accounts belonging to four major gangs led by Bandu Andekar, Nilesh Ghaywal, Gajanan Marne and Tipu Pathav were frozen between January and December this year.

Police arrested 54 persons linked to the Andekar gang in 12 cases. The stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was invoked in four cases, including the murder of auto rickshaw driver Ganesh Kale (32) in Kondhwa area in November. Ganesh’s brother Sameer Kale is an accused in the Vanraj Andekar murder case and is currently lodged in jail.

Police said 40 bank accounts of the Andekar family were frozen. Besides, 52 properties worth Rs 1.31 crores, belonging to the Andekar gang, were seized and seven illegal properties were demolished. Kumar said the “ecosystem“ and “economic foundation” of the gangsters is being destroyed.

Police arrested nine persons linked to fugitive gangster Nilesh Ghaywal, who allegedly travelled to the UK with a passport procured illegally in September. While 11 cases were filed against Ghaywal gang, the MCOCA was invoked in five. Police said 18 bank accounts of the Ghaywal family were frozen and legal action was initiated against 26 properties linked to the gang.

Police arrested 28 members of the Marne gang in seven cases, including one under MCOCA. One bank account of Marne was frozen, while 17 properties have been identified for legal action.

In June, the police gunned down Shahrukh alias Atti Rahim Shaikh (23), a member of the Tipu Pathan gang, during an exchange of fire in Solapur district. Tipu Pathan and his 15 gang members were arrested in four offences, with two under MCOCA. Six bank accounts of Tipu Pathan gang were frozen and two illegal properties worth Rs 27.75 lakhs were demolished. The commissioner said action is being taken even against those who are glorifying gangsters on social media.