Pune Gangland: Police Operations Result in Recovery of Firearms and Detentions

By India Crime Correspondent

PUNE, May 11, 2015

• Dual Cases, Single Focus: Parallel Probes Uncover Hidden Arms
• Efforts to Solve Two Attempted Murder Incidents Unearth Cache of Weapons
• Two Distinct Investigations Lead Pune Rural Police to Uncover Illegal Firearms and Apprehend 15 Suspects

In the pursuit of resolving two separate cases involving attempted murder in the district, the Pune rural police have made a significant discovery — eight homemade pistols and nine cartridges were confiscated.

These investigative endeavors also resulted in the apprehension of 15 suspects, each associated with the incidents that transpired in Ranjangaon and Ravet during the previous month.

Village Vendetta

On April 27, Gorakhsa Kale, hailing from Nimone village near Shirur taluka, was subjected to a shooting near Ranjangaon.

This attack was an offshoot of a pre-existing feud between rival groups in the village.

Within six hours of the incident, Shabbir Shaikh, a suspect connected to the assault, was fatally attacked with weapons at a petrol pump near Shirur.

While eight individuals tied to his murder had already been apprehended, those responsible for targeting Kale remained elusive.

Crime Branch Make Crucial Arrests

Based on reliable information, the local crime branch unit led by inspector Ram Jadhav sprang into action, leading to the arrest of Ganesh Kale, Ganesh Mahajan, Satish Raskar, and Ketan Salle.

During their apprehension, authorities successfully confiscated four homemade pistols, five cartridges, and two motorcycles collectively valued at approximately Rs 1.7 lakh. The individuals apprehended in this operation have a history of criminal involvement.

Suspects’ Criminal Records

Ganesh Kale, one of the apprehended suspects, has a documented criminal background with cases of dacoity, attempted murder, and robbery recorded against him by both Pune rural and Ahmednagar police.

Another detainee, Ketan Salle, carries a dacoity case filed against him at the Talegaon Dabhade police station.

Grudge-Driven Conspiracy

On April 22, Vitthal Chavan, a former sarpanch from Marunji village in Hinjewadi, faced an assassination attempt outside Nivrutti Lawns at Ravet on Dehu Road.

While Chavan escaped unscathed, the incident set in motion a meticulous investigation that revealed a calculated conspiracy.

Family Feuds

The Pune rural police, during their probing, received information that Raju Buchade (48), his son Pravin (24), and a relative Akshay Buchade (20), all residents of Marunji, were plotting the murder of Chavan.

This conspiracy stemmed from past animosity; two years prior, Chavan’s family members had assaulted Raju over a dispute.

Suspecting Chavan’s involvement, Raju Buchade orchestrated a plot to eliminate him.

Contract Killing Details

Intricacies of the plot came to light as investigators delved deeper. Raju Buchade furnished Rs 10 lakh to Shashikant Dhumal as “blood money,” compelling him to orchestrate Chavan’s murder.

A group of seven individuals, employed by Dhumal, was designated to carry out the deadly act. Each assailant was promised Rs 3 lakh for their involvement.

Thorough Investigation Leads to Understand Conspiracy

Through exhaustive efforts, the local crime branch managed to detain all 11 individuals connected to the plot.

This endeavor yielded the recovery of four homemade pistols, seven cartridges, sharp-edged weapons, and three motorcycles. During intense questioning, the suspects divulged crucial information: the acquired pistols were sourced from Eknath Kudle, a criminal who met his fate at the hands of gangster Gajanan Marne in the prior year.

These revelations exemplify the complexities of criminal operations and the constant challenge faced by law enforcement in unearthing their intricate webs and ensuring public safety.

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