Builder’s Brutal Murder Solved: Pune Rural Police Nab Main Accused in Gruesome Kidnapping Case
Pune/Kolhapur, 8th January 2025: The main accused in the kidnapping and murder of government contractor and builder Vitthal Polekar has been arrested in Kolhapur by the Crime Branch of the Pune Rural Police Force. The accused, identified as Yogesh alias Babu Kisan Bhame, had been on the run for two months following the incident at the foothills of Sinhagad Fort in Pune district.
Vitthal Sakharam Polekar, a 70-year-old resident of Donje village in the Sinhagad Fort area, was targeted by Bhame, who had previously been involved in serious crimes including murder and attempted murder. Bhame had demanded a ransom of Rs 2 crore from Polekar.
On 14th November 2024, Bhame and two accomplices kidnapped Polekar from his car and fatally stabbed him. The victim’s body was then dumped in the catchment area of Khadakwasla Dam. Bhame’s accomplices, Shubham Popat Sonawane (24) and Milind Devidas Thorat (24), both residents of Ahilyanagar, had already been arrested in connection with the case.
Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh announced Bhame’s arrest at a press conference today. He stated that the investigation team received information about Bhame’s whereabouts in Kolhapur, leading to his arrest. The police are now investigating the exact motive behind Polekar’s murder, Bhame’s hideout during his time as a fugitive, and those who may have sheltered him.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopde added that individuals who provided shelter or financial assistance to Bhame during his time as a fugitive would be considered co-accused in the case.
This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Dr. Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopade, and Sub Divisional Police Officer Sunil Kumar Pujari. The team, led by Police Inspectors Avinash Shilimkar and Sachin Wangade, included Assistant Police Inspectors Kuldeep Sankpal, Dattajirao Mote, Sagar Pawar, Police Sub-Inspectors Abhijit Sawant, Sanjay Sutnase, and Police Constables Ramdas Babar, Raju Momin, Atul Dere, Abhijit Ekshinge, Mangesh Thigale, Amol Shedage, Ajit Bhujbal, Mangesh Bhagat, Mahesh Bankar, Hanumant Pasalkar, Tushar Bhoite, Sagar Namdas, Vaibhav Sawant, Vibhishan Sasture, Santosh Bhapkar, Dipak Gaikwad, Santosh Todkar, Ganesh Dhanve, Mahendra Chaudhary, Sachin Gund, and Dilip Ambekar.
