Pune cafe attack: Online trolling between ‘reel stars’ ends in ambush, 12 arrests

“Following the initial altercation, the duo engaged in a public feud, posting retaliatory videos targeting each other. The online trolling further fuelled the tension, prompting Madhavi and her associates to plot an ambush,” said Sub Inspector Yogesh More.

The violent encounter happened in the early hours of August 15 at Cafe Flying Gypsy in Shivajinagar on Shirole Road. Around 3.30 am, as Atharva prepared to leave the premises, the group allegedly ambushed him.

Atharva attempted to enter the cafe for safety, but history-sheeter Rahul Sitaram Waghmare, 20, allegedly pursued him inside and slashed him with a sharp weapon. Waghmare’s accomplices, including several minors, allegedly assaulted Atharva before fleeing the scene.

A police team rushed to the spot, ensured the injured teenager received medical treatment, and began an investigation based on Atharva’s complaint. The Deccan police registered a case under charges of attempt to murder and other relevant provisions.

Series of arrests

Using CCTV footage from the cafe and surrounding areas, the police first arrested Madhavi, a diploma student in electronics and telecommunication, and her associate Snehal Sanjay Sonke, 20, a fellow content creator working in real estate.

The police tracked down and arrested the main assailant Rahul Waghmare, who had a prior criminal record at the Kalewadi police station, along with co-accused Shivanand Talwar, 21; Aditya Bhalerao, 22; Priyanshu Bhosale, 22; and Prem alias Pamya Salve, 22.

On August 19, the police arrested cafe owner Hemant Patil, 42, and manager Prem Deepak Patil, 21. “The duo was charged with illegally operating the venue past permissible midnight hours and attempting to destroy evidence by scrubbing bloodstains from the crime scene,” said SI More.

By August 21, three more suspects, Vaishnavi alias Siya Ravindra Bhaskar, 22, Samiksha Shailesh Shelke, 21, and Vaibhav Madhukar Bhagwat, 21, were taken into custody.

The police also apprehended three minors and sent them to an observation home, while the adult accused have been remanded to magisterial custody at the Yerwada jail.