Pune Gangland: Gang Clash Claims Another Life in Daylight, Manhunt Underway for Marne
By India Crime Correspondent
PUNE, November 30, 2014
The ongoing power struggle between rival criminal factions has resulted in yet another fatality within the city. In the latest violent confrontation, the notorious Gajanan Marne gang allegedly executed a member of the Nilesh Ghaywal gang in broad daylight near Vaikunth crematorium, located in the Navi Peth area. This incident marks the second death within a month due to this inter-gang feud.
Fatal Confrontation
Amol Hari Badhe, associated with the Ghaywal gang and hailing from Hanuman Nagar, met his demise during the attack.
His companions, Santosh Nagu Kamble and Lakhan Lokhande, sustained injuries. Initial investigations have revealed the involvement of approximately eight members from the Marne gang.
This deadly episode follows the murder of Santosh Hiraman Gawade, a close associate of Nilesh Ghaywal, on November 4 in Lavale.
Lethal Ambush
According to police sources, Badhe, Kamble, and Lokhande were en-route to the crematorium on Saturday afternoon to pay their respects to a deceased friend’s father.
After the ceremonial proceedings, the trio was proceeding towards Rajendra Nagar on a motorcycle when they encountered members of the Gajanan Marne gang.
A collision between their motorcycle and the assailants’ four-wheeler ensued, resulting in their fall.
Subsequently, gunshots were fired by members of the Marne gang on motorcycles, causing panic in the vicinity.
Although the attackers managed to flee the scene, police promptly arrived at the site. Badhe succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon reaching the hospital.
Criminal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The violent incident unfolded near the Vaikunth crematorium in the Anad Bag area.
The resulting turmoil disrupted the tranquility of the area, catching the attention of residents and temple-goers.
Senior police officials visited the crime scene, and an official murder case was registered against Gajanan Marne and seven accomplices, namely Vicky Bandal, Rupesh Marne, Sagar Rajput, Balaji Kadam, Sagar Dimble, Vishal Dimble, and Nikhil Bubhai.
An intensive search operation was launched to locate the members of the Marne gang, given the meticulously planned nature of the attack.
The Marne gang had reportedly received prior information about Badhe and his associates’ presence at the crematorium, leading to the premeditated assault.
Ghaywal Gang Operative Apprehended, Firearm Seized
The anti-extortion cell of the Pune police crime branch apprehended Santosh Anand Dhumal (30) of Right Bhusari Colony on Friday.
Dhumal was allegedly plotting the assassination of Gajanan Marne in retaliation for the murder of Santosh Hiraman Gawade on November 4, attributed to the Marne gang.
Upon Dhumal’s arrest, a pistol and a live cartridge were confiscated. Past clashes between the two rival gangs have been recorded, including a 2008 incident wherein members of the Marne gang targeted Ghaywal and Gawade in the Shastrinagar area.
In a retaliatory act, Marne gang member Sachin Kudle was murdered in 2010 in Kothrud, with Gawade implicated in the case.
The ongoing turmoil suggests that the Ghaywal gang sought retribution, culminating in Dhumal’s alleged plot and the subsequent murder of Badhe, which occurred shortly after Dhumal’s detention.
Gajanan Marne, along with Pappu Kudle, Sachin’s brother and a co-accused in the Gawade murder case, remains at large.
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