Reporter : Zoheb Shaikh
In a sweeping operation, Pune Police have dismantled two dangerous criminal networks operating across the city, arresting 11 key members including alleged gang leaders. The raids exposed sophisticated organized crime operations masquerading as legitimate businesses.
Kale Padal Police Station Case
A seven-member gang led by a 34-year-old Tipu Pathan, Eijaz Pathan, Nadim Khan, Sadam Pathan, Eijaz Patel, Sajid Nadaf, Irfan Shaikh has been charged under stringent Maharashtra’s Organized Crime Control Act for:
- Running extortion rackets targeting property owners
- Multiple cases of attempted murder and violent assaults
- Illegal arms trafficking and drug distribution
Operating from Hadapsar and Mohmmadwadi areas, the syndicate allegedly used their spice business, garage, and vehicle shops as fronts for criminal activities while terrorizing local communities.
Loni Kalbhor Police Station Case
Police simultaneously busted a four-member armed gang accused of:
- Brutal attacks causing grievous injuries
- Creating public terror with deadly weapons
- Operating an illegal arms network in Kadamwakwasti area
The 29-year-old alleged leader Firoz Shaikh, Prasad Jetithor, Aslam Shaikh, Aditya Kalane and two Juvenile’s were tracked through meticulous surveillance before their arrest.
Police Strategy
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rajkumar Shinde has implemented an aggressive anti-crime strategy:
- Enhanced digital surveillance of known criminals
- Six consecutive special operations in four months
- Strict application of preventive detention laws
“These aren’t just arrests – we’re dismantling entire criminal ecosystems,” stated a senior police official. The cases have been filed under Maharashtra’s toughest organized crime statutes, which could keep the accused behind bars for decades.
The operations mark a significant victory in Pune Police’s ongoing war against organized crime, sending a clear message that criminal networks will not be tolerated in the city.
Residents Relief: Local business owners have expressed relief, with one shopkeeper stating, “We can finally operate without fear of extortion demands.” Authorities urge citizens to report any suspicious activities as investigations continue into the gangs’ wider networks.
