Pune Gangland: Arrest of Another Gangster Linked to Pujari Aids Crackdown on Criminal Activity
By India Crime Correspondent
PUNE, 9 March 2016
Aided by persistent efforts spanning almost nine months, the Bharati Vidyapeeth police successfully apprehended an associate of the notorious criminal Nilesh Dnyaneshwar Bharam, who had affiliations with the gangster Ravi Pujari’s network. The arrested individual, Vishal Sajjan Phalke (22), hailing from Waiphale in Tasgaon taluka of Sangli district, had managed to evade authorities while engaging in criminal activities in Tasgaon. Pursued by both Sangli and Bharati Vidyapeeth police, Phalke was finally captured in Sangli on Monday.
Significant Criminal Links
Last year in July, the Bharati Vidyapeeth police had managed to apprehend Bharam, a wanted criminal facing nine cases of robbery and extortion dating back to 2011.
The arrest, which took place in Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, also led to the recovery of a Maruti Swift car, two revolvers, a country-made pistol, and six cartridges, collectively valued at Rs 6.26 lakh.
Bharam, along with his accomplices Umesh Kokate and Santosh Marathe, faced stringent charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Phalke was also implicated in the same case; however, he remained at large until his apprehension.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Phalke has now been placed under 10 days of police custody, as stated by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Swargate division), Milind Mohite.
The investigative team, led by senior police inspector Balasaheb Surve, in-charge of the Bharati Vidyapeeth police station, along with PSI Uttam Budgude and other dedicated officers, played a crucial role in pursuing these cases.
Scope of Criminal Activities
The criminal activities associated with Bharam and his associates encompass various jurisdictions, including Bharati Vidyapeeth, Kondhwa, Sahakarnagar, Khadak, Warje police in Pune division, and Haveli police station, falling within the rural police domain.
Bharam’s modus operandi involved demanding extortion money from business owners, often employing threats with weapons. Evading capture was a hallmark of his actions, often necessitating location changes.
Investigations revealed that his criminal exploits extended to Mumbai and Thane as well.
Collective Efforts Yield Success
The success of these operations can be attributed to the combined efforts of dedicated officers and personnel, including Pradip Gurav, Vinod Bhandalkar, Pravin Kalbhor, Samir Bagsiraj, Baba Narle, and Nitin Dhotre.
The recent arrest adds to the ongoing efforts to curtail criminal activities and dismantle networks associated with notorious gangsters, creating a safer environment for the public.
………………………..
