Pune: Gangster Grandfather Bandu Andekar Booked After Teen Grandson’s Murder

Nana Peth, 8th September 2025: The Samarth police on Saturday detained two suspects, including one of the gunmen, for their alleged role in the murder of 18-year-old civil engineering student Ayush Komkar in Nana Peth. The shooting took place on Friday evening and is believed to be a fallout of last year’s killing of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar.

According to investigators, a case of murder and criminal conspiracy has been registered against Ayush’s grandfather, Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar—who is known to head a local gang—and 12 others, based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.

Police sources said Ayush’s death appeared to be a revenge attack. Vanraj Andekar was gunned down on September 1, 2024, allegedly over a dispute involving property and family ties. Ayush’s father, Ganesh Komkar, who is married to Vanraj’s sister, is an accused in that case.

A senior crime branch officer told reporters, “One of the arrested men, identified as Yash Siddheshwar Patil, fired multiple rounds at the victim along with another shooter who is still on the run. The second arrested suspect, 19-year-old Amit Prakash Patole, was positioned nearby to assist them. Both men live in Nana Peth, close to the Dokey Talim area where Bandu Andekar has been running his gang operations for years.”

Investigators added that Patil and Patole are also named in a separate case involving a foiled murder conspiracy targeting relatives of two other key accused in Vanraj’s killing, Somnath Gaikwad and Aniket Dudhbhate.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale confirmed the arrests and said, “Neither Patil nor Patole have a prior criminal record.
They were involved in the conspiracy along with others named in the FIR.”

CCTV footage from the basement parking lot where Ayush was shot helped police identify the suspects. “Once their families were approached, the pressure mounted, and both Patil and Patole surrendered around 4 pm on Saturday,” the crime branch officer added.

So far, the firearms and motorcycle used in the crime have not been recovered. Investigators have seized 10 spent cartridges and one live round from the scene. “The evidence suggests that several shots were fired. The autopsy report will give us more clarity on the number of injuries sustained,” the officer said.