Last of Mumbai’s resident dons falls

According to police records, Manchekar was wanted in no less 50 murders in the past 17 years. Over 100 builders were victims of his terror tactics in recent years.

Assistant Police Inspector Ravindranath Angre said he was tracking Manchekar for almost a year. Dozens of telephones were under observation and he was depending on an army of informers for information on one of the most wanted men in the metropolis.

Angre’s task was made even more difficult after Manchekar had escaped several traps in the recent past. The fugitive was aware of the police working.

On Thursday evening it was yet another call and Angre did not want to take any chances. A team of officers sped from their headquarters located in a dilapidated office at Wagle Estate in Thane.

The officers had information that Manchekar and his men were travelling in a Tata Sumo and was expected to halt near Ujjwal Deep in Kolhapur.

It is still not clear whether Manchekar got the wind of police presence in the area and sped in the direction of main market around 2 am. The policemen were trailing the gangster for a distance, Angre said.

Around 2.30 am the vehicle halted near James Stone Shopping Centre, a little distance from the main State Transport Bus Stand in Kolhapur. A suspect in black trousers and grey shirt stepped out and was apparently waiting for somebody.

Police constable Uttam Bhosle identified the suspect as Manchekar. The following sequence of events were all to familiar.

The police team claimed Manchekar was killed in the subsequent exchange of fire. A Smith & Wesson revolver was recovered from the spot.