Revenge Killing Suspected After Ganesh Kale Shot Dead in Pune’s Kondhwa Area

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Kondhwa, 1st November 2025: In yet another incident linked to Pune’s ongoing gang rivalries, 35-year-old Ganesh Kale — brother of Sameer Kale, an accused in the Ayush Komkar murder case — was shot dead in broad daylight at Khadi Machine Chowk, Kondhwa, on Saturday afternoon. Police suspect the killing was carried out in retaliation for the murder of NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar.

According to police, the incident took place around 3 pm when Ganesh Kale, an autorickshaw driver residing in Yewalewadi, stepped out for work. Two assailants on a motorcycle intercepted him and opened fire using a pistol. Kale was also attacked with sharp weapons, including a sickle, and succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Rajkumar Shinde said police received a call about the firing from a nearby petrol pump at around 3:35 pm. “Senior officers and police teams reached the scene immediately. Ganesh Kale was found shot dead. We have formed ten teams to trace the accused and are investigating all possible angles, including gang rivalry and revenge,” Shinde said.

Police sources revealed that Ganesh Kale was previously booked in a criminal case and was allegedly involved in supplying a pistol to slain NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar. His brother, Sameer Kale, is currently in jail in connection with Andekar’s murder.

The killing appears to be the latest chapter in a series of retaliatory attacks between the Andekar and Kale groups. Last year, NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar was gunned down in Nana Peth, followed by the murder of Ayush Komkar — believed to be orchestrated by the Andekar gang — during Ganeshotsav immersion this year.

Police have deployed additional teams across the city to prevent further violence and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers.

Further investigation is underway.