Pune: Anti-Extortion Squad Nabs Four Criminals in Dandekar Bridge Area, Seizes Firearm and Deadly Weapons
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 26th April 2025: The Anti-Extortion Squad 1 of Pune City Police Crime Branch seized a countrymade pistol, two live cartridges, and two deadly weapons during a crackdown on illegal arms holders, leading to the arrest of two criminals from the Dandekar Bridge area.
Acting on orders from the Commissioner of Police, Joint Commissioner, and Additional Commissioner (Crime), the Pune Police launched a drive to apprehend individuals possessing illegal weapons, wanted criminals, and absconders.
On April 25, police personnel Head Constable Rajendra Landge and Constables Amar Pawar and Mayur Bhokhre, under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Shailesh Sankhe and Assistant Police Inspector Malegave, received a tip-off from a confidential informant. They were informed that Ganesh Gautam Waghmare, a resident of Survey No. 130, Dandekar Bridge, and previously booked under the MCOCA by Parvati Police Station, was illegally carrying a firearm and creating public fear in the area.
Following the lead, the police detained Ganesh Waghmare (28). During questioning, he revealed that the pistol was acquired by his associate, Tejas Kashinath Shelar (25), and both used it for “self-protection.” Acting swiftly, the police apprehended Tejas Shelar, recovering a silver-colored countrymade pistol tucked in his waistband and two live cartridges loaded in the magazine. The seized items are valued at Rs 35,400.
Upon inquiry, both accused admitted they did not possess a valid firearm license. Consequently, an FIR (No. 130/2025) has been registered at Parvati Police Station under relevant sections of the Arms Act, along with Sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. Both men have been arrested.
According to officials, Ganesh Waghmare and Tejas Shelar are repeat offenders with past criminal records at Parvati and Sinhagad Road police stations.
In another operation, the Anti-Extortion Squad 1 apprehended two externed criminals, recovering sharp weapons from their possession.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Pratham alias Pandi Suresh Mhaske (20), a resident of Survey No. 132, Dandekar Bridge, Pune, and Roshan Avinash Kakade (24), a resident of Tukai Nagar, Sinhagad Road, Pune, near Samaj Mandir. Both are known offenders with prior criminal records at Parvati and Sinhagad Road police stations and had been externed from Pune district for a period of two years.
Police officials stated that both suspects were found carrying deadly weapons despite their externment orders. Accordingly, a case has been registered against them under Section 4/25 of the Indian Arms Act, Sections 142, 37(1), and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, as well as Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Commissioner of Police, Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime 1) Ganesh Ingle.
The team included Police Inspector Shailesh Sankhe, Assistant Police Inspector Rajesh Malegave, PSI Asmita Lad, and police personnel Rajendra Landge, Amar Pawar, Mayur Bhokare, Duryodhan Gurav, Sayaji Chavan, Geetanjali Jambhulkar, Pravin Dhamal, Ranjit Phadtare, Lahu Suryavanshi, and Vijay Kamble.
Further investigation is underway.
