Pune Gangland: Gangster’s Motive: Emulating Chhota Rajan, Pune’s Underworld Takes a Dark Turn

By India Crime Correspondent

Mumbai, 10 June, 2012

The ruthless underworld of Pune witnesses a gruesome turn as Sharad Mohol, a local gangster aged 27, meticulously orchestrates the killing of Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui, a 27-year-old Indian Mujahideen operative.

The motive, as gleaned from police sources, suggests that Mohol sought notoriety among Pune’s criminal circles, aiming to follow in the footsteps of fugitive gangster Chhota Rajan.

Preliminary investigations into this chilling episode point to Mohol’s aspirations to become a name feared and revered, much like Rajan, who harbored a vendetta against anyone associated with Dawood Ibrahim.

Murder Behind Bars: Siddiqui’s Tragic End

Within the confines of the high-security ‘Anda’ cell at Yerawada Central jail, tragedy unfolds as Siddiqui, the Indian Mujahideen operative linked to several blasts across the nation, meets a grim fate.

Strangled to death with a pyjama string, Siddiqui’s life is abruptly extinguished on a Friday.

The carefully timed incident occurs during the two-hour recreation window between 9.45 am and 11 am, exposing a shocking breach of security within the confines of the jail.

Chess and Conspiracy: Luring Siddiqui into a Deadly Trap

According to insiders, the meticulously planned murder involves Sharad Mohol and Alok Bhalerao, a 22-year-old local gangster, who weave a web of deceit around Siddiqui.

Establishing rapport, Mohol and Bhalerao engage in chess games with Siddiqui, strategically gaining his trust.

On the fateful Friday, Mohol and Bhalerao’s sinister intentions unfold. As Mohol and Bhalerao accompany Siddiqui out of his cell, their sinister plot takes shape.

While Bhalerao restrains Siddiqui’s legs, Mohol employs a pyjama string to tighten the noose around Siddiqui’s life.

Betrayal and Revelation: The Shocking Aftermath

Following the cold-blooded execution, Bhalerao and Mohol’s depravity extends further as they reveal their heinous act to a fellow prisoner, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons.

This informant promptly notifies the jail authorities, setting off a chain of events that would uncover the disturbing conspiracy.

Timing and Justice: ATS’s Plan Derailed

Coincidentally, the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) had scheduled Siddiqui’s appearance before a local magistrate court on the same day.

Their intention was to request Siddiqui’s transfer to Delhi. The ATS had assumed custody of Siddiqui from Delhi police’s Special Cell on May 3, investigating his alleged involvement in a plot to bomb the Dagduseth Halwai temple.

The plot’s eerie parallels with the 2010 explosion at German Bakery in Pune underscore the gravity of the allegations against Siddiqui.

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