Pune: Landlord Recognises Tenant in TV Report, Helps Nab Man Who Allegedly Threatened MLA Jitendra Awhad
Pune, 21st October 2026: A man who allegedly threatened NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad with death over phone calls and WhatsApp messages was handed over to Lonikand police by his landlord after the latter recognised him in a television news report.
The accused, Vishal Madhavrao Bicchewad (39), a resident of Barava Mile in Lonikand, works as a security supervisor. Lonikand police subsequently handed him over to Thane police, who took him into custody and served him a notice.
According to police, Awhad received two to three threatening calls and messages on the night of October 19. The caller allegedly used abusive language and threatened to shoot the MLA, claiming he was standing outside his house and demanding to be let in. A complaint was lodged at Vartak Nagar police station in Thane.
Awhad had also spoken about the incident to reporters. He shared a post on X, along with the accused’s mobile number and the threatening message received on WhatsApp.
In his post, Awhad said the caller had contacted him two to three times, used abusive language and threatened to kill him. He added that the caller claimed to be standing at his doorstep and that the calls had begun around 4.30am.
The Thane city police responded to Awhad’s post on X, stating that the information had been forwarded to the senior police inspector of Vartak Nagar police station for necessary action.
The accused’s landlord learnt about the incident while watching a television news report and suspected that his tenant, Vishal Bicchewad, was responsible. He subsequently caught hold of him and took him to Lonikand police station.
Thane police officials then arrived at the station, took custody of Bicchewad and served him a notice in connection with the case.
