Pune: Two Arrested for Attack on Businessman Rana Suryawanshi; Rs 2 Lakh Paid to Execute Assault

Pune, 21st October 2026: Baramati taluka police have arrested two people in connection with the armed attack on businessman Rana Dilip Suryawanshi outside Pilot Dhaba on the Palkhi Highway on October 18. Police said preliminary investigation revealed that one of the accused, Dnyandev Mahadev Shinde, allegedly paid Rs 2 lakh to arrange the attack.

The arrested accused have been identified as Parth Vasudev Awathale (19) and Dnyandev Mahadev Shinde (50), a resident of Bhigwan in Indapur taluka. A juvenile in conflict with the law has also been detained in connection with the case. Police are investigating the motive behind the attack and the possible involvement of others.

According to Baramati taluka police, two unidentified men attacked Suryawanshi outside Pilot Dhaba on the Palkhi Highway around 7pm on October 18. Laxmikant Mahadev Suryawanshi lodged a complaint alleging an attempt to murder Rana. A case was registered at Baramati taluka police station on October 19.

During the investigation, Pune city police detained Awathale along with a juvenile and handed them over to Pune rural police. Based on technical analysis and information gathered during questioning, police arrested Awathale and Shinde on October 20. Both were produced before a court, which remanded them in police custody until October 23.

Suryawanshi, a Solapur resident who owns a shipping company with offices in Maharashtra and Goa, had visited Baramati to inspect agricultural land. He had been in touch with Laxmikant Suryawanshi regarding the visit, and Laxmikant and his friends had made arrangements to welcome him.

According to the investigation, two men arrived on a motorcycle when Suryawanshi reached the area with his convoy. They claimed to be his fans and expressed a desire to take photographs with him. However, one of them allegedly pulled out a pistol as he approached Suryawanshi under the pretext of taking a photograph.

The pistol reportedly jammed, preventing a shot from being fired. Suryawanshi struck the assailant’s hand, causing the weapon to fall. The attacker then allegedly assaulted him with a sharp weapon, leaving him seriously injured.

A police constable serving as Suryawanshi’s bodyguard was present with the convoy and attempted to apprehend the attackers as they fled. He managed to catch one of them briefly, but the accused bit his hand and escaped. One attacker fled towards a nearby field under the cover of darkness, while the other escaped on the motorcycle.

Following the incident, police formed several teams to trace the suspects. Although two arrests have been made, investigators are still examining the motive, the nature of the alleged financial transaction and whether more people were involved.

Baramati taluka police station inspector Narayan Pawar is conducting further investigations.