Pune Gangland: Absconding Gangster Mahakali’s Aide Apprehended After Six-Month Hunt

By India Crime Correspondent

PUNE, June 27, 2011

• Crime Branch Successfully Arrests Accomplice of Fugitive Rakesh Dholakiya
• Fugitive Gang Member Apprehended
• Crime Branch Efforts Lead to Arrest of Accused Associated with Gangster Mahakali
• Long Pursuit Ends in Capture
• Police Team Led by Senior Inspector Bhanupratap Barge Achieves Breakthrough in Investigation

After a rigorous six-month search, the crime branch has finally succeeded in apprehending Hanumant alias Hanmya Bhagwan Shinde (35) of Dehu Road, a key associate of the notorious gangster Rakesh Dholakiya, also known as Mahakali.

Shinde had been on the run since December 2010, following a gunfire confrontation with a Pune rural police team.

Arrest in Yerawada

Strategic Operation Near Yerawada Central Prison Leads to Arrest and Recovery of Weapons

Based on a credible tip-off, a police team, under the leadership of senior police inspector Bhanupratap Barge from the social security cell of the crime branch, set up a trap near Yerawada central prison.

They successfully apprehended Shinde. Additionally, two country-made firearms were seized from his possession.

Shinde’s Recent Activities and Intentions

According to additional commissioner of police (crime) Anant Shinde, investigations have revealed that Shinde was in Yerawada to procure cartridges for his two firearms.

The arrest underscores his alleged involvement in a confrontation that occurred on December 24, 2010, when Shinde fired on the police during an attempt to apprehend Mahakali in Ramabainagar slums.

During the same incident, another accomplice of Mahakali had thrown stones, resulting in injuries to four constables.

The Past Events

The initial incident led to the arrest of Mahakali, but Shinde managed to evade capture.

This event also saw the arrest of Amol Khude from the economics offences wing of the crime branch due to his alleged connections with Mahakali.

Strategic Arrest Operation

Inspector Barge explained that constables Pradip Jambhle and Kashinath Ubhe received crucial information that Shinde would visit the vicinity of Yerawada Central Prison to acquire cartridges.

Capitalizing on this intelligence, the police chose a location near the prison, banking on the assumption that the police presence would be focused on the Palkhi bandobast, a religious procession.

Capture and Escape

As Shinde and two others arrived at the designated location, law enforcement successfully apprehended him.

However, the two accompanying individuals managed to evade capture and escape.

Criminal Record of the Apprehended

Shinde’s criminal history is extensive, with around 30 cases registered against him.

These include charges such as attempt to murder, extortion, escape from police custody, and offenses under the Arms Act.

In 2004, Shinde assaulted Javed Patni, a suspect in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case, while both were lodged in Yerawada jail.

Shinde had also managed to escape police custody in 2001 and 2007, according to Inspector Barge’s account.

………………………..