Pune Gangland: Bishnoi Gang Member Linked to Moosewala Murder Arrested in Maharashtra

By India Crime Correspondent

PUNE, June 13, 2022

Santosh Jadhav, aged 23, whose name emerged as a possible shooter in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, has been apprehended by Pune Rural police in a remote village in Kutch, Gujarat. Jadhav had taken elaborate measures to alter his appearance in an attempt to evade capture. His associate has also been taken into custody.

Bishnoi Gang’s Presence Extends to Maharashtra

The Pune Rural police’s investigation into the murder case has unveiled connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which is suspected to be involved in Moosewala’s assassination. This revelation suggests that the gang’s influence reaches into the state of Maharashtra.

Links to Moosewala Murder

Recently, the names of Santosh Jadhav and Siddhesh Kamble (19), also known as Saurav or Mahakal, surfaced in connection to the Sidhu Moosewala murder case. Following this revelation, the Pune Rural police, who were already pursuing Jadhav in relation to a murder case dating back to August 2021, intensified their efforts.

Eventually, Jadhav was apprehended near the Pune Ahmednagar district border on June 7.

Cross-State Pursuit

A dedicated team from the Pune Rural police embarked on an operation spanning Punjab, Delhi, and Gujarat in their search for Jadhav.

Through insights gained during Mahakal’s interrogation and information collected through ground-level intelligence gathering, the team zeroed in on Navnath Suryavanshi (27), a native of Satara district in Maharashtra. Suryavanshi was residing in Mandvi town, Kutch.

Assistance Leads to Capture

Further questioning of Suryavanshi, who was known to Jadhav, provided authorities with crucial information about Jadhav’s whereabouts in a remote village near Mandvi, inhabited by fewer than 100 households.

On Sunday, the Pune Rural police successfully arrested Jadhav, who had taken the drastic step of shaving his head to alter his appearance. Suryavanshi played a significant role in aiding Jadhav’s efforts to hide from law enforcement.

Evading Identification

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Abhinav Deshmukh commented on the case, stating, “Jadhav had distinct curly hair. But he seems to have changed his appearance to avoid being identified.”

Legal Proceedings

Santosh Jadhav and Navnath Suryavanshi were presented before a Pune court during the midnight hours between Sunday and Monday.

The court ordered the two suspects to remain in Pune rural police custody until June 20.

Links to Bishnoi Gang Under Scrutiny

The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kulwant Kumar Sarangal revealed that preliminary information points to the involvement of Santosh Jadhav, along with two others, Navnath Suryavanshi and Siddhesh Kamble (Mahakal), in the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Suspicions also surround their connection to the Moosewala murder case.

The Pune Police currently hold custody of Mahakal, and now with the arrests of Jadhav and Suryavanshi, the focus will shift to unraveling their ties to the Bishnoi gang and their activities in Maharashtra.

Cross-State Gang Connections

ADGP Sarangal highlighted that Mahakal had conducted reconnaissance for potential targets in Punjab and Haryana under the directives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

As a nationally-spanning organization, the gang’s presence extends to Maharashtra as well.

Collaboration between police units from Punjab, Delhi, and Maharashtra is ongoing to uncover potential links to the gang within the state.

Uncovering the Path to Gang Association

The investigation has pointed toward Mahakal’s connection with Jadhav, who then introduced him to Vikram Brar, a core member of the Bishnoi gang.

The details of how these individuals from Pune established contact with the gang remain under scrutiny, and Jadhav’s interrogation is expected to provide insights into this aspect.

Connections to Salman Khan Threat Case

In regards to the threat letter sent to actor Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan, Mahakal’s involvement is being examined.

While he has provided some information, its accuracy is currently being verified.

The primary investigation suggests Mahakal was aware of the threat issued to Salman Khan. Jadhav and Suryavanshi will also be questioned on this matter. The Pune Police’s team is presently in Delhi to interrogate Lawrence Bishnoi, central to the ongoing inquiry.

Past Offenses and Current Investigations

Hailing from Pokhari village in Pune district, Jadhav was a wanted individual for the murder of criminal Onkar Bankhele, alias Ranya, who was fatally shot in Pune on August 1, 2021.

Jadhav’s criminal record includes five cases registered by the Pune Rural police, spanning charges of murder, attempted murder, and extortion.

Additionally, he faces charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

While his current arrest pertains to the Bankhele murder, his potential ties to the Moosewala case are being explored.

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