Pune Gangland: Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Notorious Gangster Sharad Mohol in Kishor Marne Murder Case
By India Crime Correspondent
PUNE, 4 May 2019
The Bombay High Court has taken a surprising turn by granting bail to the infamous gangster Sharad Mohol, who had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pune sessions court for his involvement in the 2010 murder of fellow criminal Kishor Marne.
Despite the bail order, Mohol’s release remains pending due to his ongoing trial as an accused in the 2012 murder case of terror suspect Qateel Siddiqui, which occurred within the heavily guarded Anda Cell of Yerwada Central Jail.
Challenging the Conviction
In a bold move, Mohol’s legal team, comprising advocates Harshad Ponda and Shamsher Garud, challenged the conviction handed down by the sessions court in the High Court.
The defense argued that the conviction was based on the testimony of Vijay Marne, who had omitted any mention of Mohol’s involvement during the narration of the criminal incident.
Furthermore, the defense highlighted the lack of any specific role attributed to Mohol in the January 11, 2010, incident, a deficiency also evident during the identification parade.
Points of Contentention
The defense team contended that Mohol’s name was introduced only in a supplementary statement recorded in March 2010, in which the names of accused individuals were disclosed based on hearsay information.
Additionally, they underscored that while Mohol’s name did appear in the FIR, the specific nature of his role was not defined.
The identification parade also only pointed to the involvement of three other individuals.
The defense further pointed out that another accused in the case had already been granted bail.
Prosecution’s Stand and Court’s Decision
The prosecution countered the defense’s argument by emphasizing that Vijay Marne, an eyewitness, had implicated Mohol as an accused.
Nonetheless, the High Court, while granting bail, highlighted the fact that the eyewitness only identified three individuals during the identification parade, failing to mention a fourth person’s participation.
The court also noted that Hemant Dabhekar, another accused in the case, had been granted bail, leading to the conclusion that Mohol was entitled to similar relief.
The bail was granted under the condition that Mohol regularly reports to the superintendent of police and additional sessions court in Pune.
Context and Previous Conviction
Kishor Marne met his demise during a gang shootout in January 2010.
This event followed the murder of Sandeep Mohol, a member of Sharad Mohol’s gang, by associates of Ganesh Marne’s gang.
After Ganesh’s incarceration, Kishor assumed leadership of the Marne gang. In 2016, Mohol and six accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in this crime.
Mohol’s Criminal Journey
Interestingly, Sharad Mohol initially entered the criminal records due to his involvement in the murder of Kishor Marne.
Over the subsequent two years, Mohol accumulated five more serious criminal cases, prompting law enforcement to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against him.
In June 2012, Mohol gained notoriety for strangling Siddiqui, with Alok Bhalerao as his accomplice. His criminal record included two murders, extortion, theft, and a case under the Arms Act, 1959.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The trial for the Siddiqui murder case is presently underway in the sessions court. Interestingly, all six key witnesses in the case have turned hostile, posing a challenge to the prosecution’s position.
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Pune Gangland: Social Media Surveillance by Police: Following Gangsters Could Land You in Trouble
By India Crime Correspondent
PUNE, 16 November 2022
In a digital age where social media platforms serve as windows to people’s lives, the Pimpri-Chinchwad police are adopting a proactive stance to monitor individuals who are fans or followers of gangs or gangsters on these platforms.
A recent incident involves the arrest of a 21-year-old youth who posted a reel on social media, brandishing a sharp weapon with the apparent aim of instilling fear in the area.
Digital Clue Leads to Apprehension
The individual in question, Shubham Jadhav from Thergaon, posted the reel between October 30 and November 13.
The video attracted police attention during their tracking of followers associated with local gangs and criminals on social media. Subsequently, after gathering more information about the youth’s activities, the police apprehended him.
The incident has prompted the registration of a case at the Wakad police station.
The investigation is being handled by Police Sub Inspector (PSI) Avdhut Shingare.
Youth’s Background and Motivation
Further inquiry revealed that Jadhav comes from an economically disadvantaged background and assists his father in the family’s vegetable vending business.
Simultaneously, his interest seemed to be gravitating towards criminal activities. Consequently, the police took action to prevent potential wrongdoing by arresting him.
Recent Instances of Digital Fearmongering
Over the past month, the Pimpri-Chinchwad police have taken action against three to four individuals who have leveraged social media to create an atmosphere of terror.
A similar occurrence involved a 19-year-old individual who recently shared a reel on social media, showcasing a sharp weapon.
Although lacking any prior criminal record, the person exhibited a penchant for criminal tendencies, attempting to evoke fear within his locality by means of the reel.
The youth, identified as Samarth Patil and residing in Thatwade, was involved in this incident.
Law Enforcement’s Perspective and Approach
Police Sub Inspector Ambarish Deshmukh commented on the trend, stating that modern teenagers and young adults can be easily influenced by criminal ideals.
The police’s focus is on preventing these individuals from venturing into criminal behavior. Therefore, vigilance extends beyond their real-life activities to encompass their online presence, including social media.
Targeting Online Gang Affiliations
Around 800 teenagers who are followers of various gangs or gangsters have come under the police’s radar.
A dedicated team is closely monitoring fake profiles on social media created by teenagers, as well as profiles associated with known gangsters, to effectively track their followers.
Dangers of Misguided Online Role Models
Deshmukh emphasized that young individuals often fail to realize that aligning with the wrong role models can lead to life-altering consequences.
As an initial response, the police not only take legal action but also provide counseling to these teenagers, enlightening them about the potential negative consequences of engaging in such activities.
Recent Apprehensions
In addition to Shubham Jadhav’s case, the police have apprehended two other individuals, Akash Jadhav and Irfan Shaikh, who were found wandering in Chinchwad while carrying sharp weapons, attempting to incite fear among residents.
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