Pune Gangland: Arrest of Ravi Pujari Gang’s Sharpshooter Unveils Cache of Firearms

By India Crime Correspondent

PUNE, August 21, 2016

In a significant breakthrough, Pune city police have successfully arrested a feared gangster, accompanied by his associate, while in possession of a cache of arms and ammunition.

The confiscated arsenal includes an automatic carbine gun, four pistols, a revolver, and a total of 69 cartridges. Astonishingly, these cartridges originate from the Ammunition Factory at Khadki (AFK), primarily designated for defense and governmental agencies.

Gangster Linked to Ravi Pujari Underworld Faction

The apprehended gangster, identified as Sadiq Ibrahim Bangali (39), has been revealed as a proficient sharpshooter affiliated with the notorious underworld figure Ravi Pujari.

Sadiq’s accomplice is recognized as Rihan Rafiq Sayyad (23). Both individuals reside in Lonavala.

Law enforcement successfully apprehended the duo near the state transport bus depot, approximately at 4 pm on a Saturday.

The firearms were discovered during a thorough search conducted by the police. JCP Sunil Ramanand informed the media that the majority of the cartridges have been traced back to AFK.

Investigation into Illicit Cartridge Possession

Given that access to these cartridges is primarily restricted to defense and paramilitary forces, authorities are actively investigating potential links between government officials and the underworld.

This pursuit aims to ascertain whether any government entities were involved in funneling these cartridges into the hands of criminals. The ongoing interrogation of the arrested gang members seeks to uncover the origin and acquisition methods of the firearms and ammunition.

One line of inquiry being explored is the possibility that the gangsters might have procured the weaponry and cartridges from regions affected by Maoist insurgency.

Suspected Firearm Trade and Criminal Connections

Authorities hold suspicions that the detained gang members intended to distribute the seized firearms among their network in Pune for illicit trade.

Sadiq Ibrahim Bangali is implicated in nine criminal cases, including a high-profile assassination attempt targeting film producer Mahesh Bhatt in Mumbai back in 2006.

Additionally, Bangali’s criminal record includes a connection to a double homicide in Lonavala, the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Devidas Chougule in Navi Mumbai, and a plot to eliminate Lonavala municipal council president Amit Gavli.

A fresh set of charges under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code has now been lodged against both Sadiq and Rihan at the Swargate police station.

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