Pune: Wakad Police Uncover Premeditated Murder Disguised as Accident, Arrest Four Suspects
Varad Bhatkhande
Wakad, 3rd May 2024: Two months ago, in Pimpri Chinchwad when a pedestrian couple lost their lives in an accident involving a tempo. Despite initial conclusions, the Wakad Police continued their investigation diligently. After an exhaustive two-month inquiry, they have determined that the accident was not a mere mishap but a premeditated murder orchestrated by notorious criminals fueled by animosity.
The deceased have been identified as Lata Kamble and Santosh Kumar Kamble. In this case, charges were filed against Rohit Nagnath Gaikwad (age 23, resident of Hadapsar), Anand Kishore Valmiki (age 29, resident of Wakad), Parshuram aka Parshya Sunil Mane (age 24, resident of Wakad), and Shahrukh Yunus Shaikh (resident of Wakad), along with a minor. Gaikwad, Valmiki, Mane, and the minor have been arrested by the police, while Shaikh remains at large.
The incident occurred on the 3rd of March 2024, at 9:25 PM, at Kala Khadak in Wakad. A case was filed at the Wakad Police Station against the tempo driver under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 279 (related to rash driving or riding on a public way), 338 (pertaining to causing grievous hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others), 427 (involving mischief causing damage to property), and 304(A) (causing death by negligence), along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Vishal Hire, there was suspicious information suggesting that the incident was not an accident but a premeditated murder. The Wakad police initiated a search for the tempo driver. The Detection Branch of the Wakad Police Station began scrutinizing CCTV footage, interrogating witnesses, and leveraging confidential sources. The CCTV footage revealed that the tempo driver was suspiciously roaming around the area approximately three hours before the accident. He had taken measures to conceal his registration number to avoid identification. The tempo was strategically positioned, waiting for the couple to arrive. Upon their approach, the tempo accelerated and deliberately struck them, causing severe injuries and eventual death. The driver fled the scene without stopping.
Given the deliberate nature of the crime and its meticulous planning, additional sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were added against the driver, including Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy). Upon investigation, it was determined that the driver in question was Gaikwad. He was apprehended approximately ten days after the incident. Subsequent interrogation revealed that Gaikwad, along with Valmiki, Mane, Shaikh, and the minor, had collaborated in the crime. Police arrested Valmiki, Mane, and the minor, and during their interrogation, it was disclosed that the crime was motivated by deep-seated animosity and was meticulously planned.
All the accused individuals have a history of criminal activities, leading Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them on the 30th of April 2024.
What Caused the Deep Animosity?
According to ACP Dr. Hire, all the accused individuals in this case are notorious and have a history of criminal activities. They had been arrested previously. Before their arrest, the gang leader, Shaikh, believed that Lata Kamble had provided information to the police, leading to his arrest. The victim and accused were acquainted with each other. Fueled by this rage and suspicion, Shaikh orchestrated the planned murder.
Criminal History of the Accused
A total of 15 cases have been registered against gang leader Shaikh, comprising 11 in Wakad Police Station, 2 in Hinjawadi Police Station and 1 each in Pimpri and Khadki Police Stations. Valmiki had a total of 4 crimes registered against him in Wakad and Hinjawadi Police Stations, while Mane had 4 crimes registered against him. Gaikwad had 3 crimes registered against him.
This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pimpri Chinchwad Commissioner of Police Vinay Kumar Choubey, Additional Commissioner of Police Vasant Pardeshi, Zone 2 Deputy Commissioner of Police Bapu Bangar, ACP Wakad Division Dr. Vishal Hire, and Senior Police Inspector of Wakad, Nivrutti Kolhatkar. The team was led by Police Inspector (Crime) Vitthal Salunkhe, along with Police Inspector Ankush Nale, and Police Sub-Inspectors Sachin Chavan, Aniruddh Savardekar, Nagnath Suryavanshi, Vibhishan Kanherkar, and Babajan Inamdar. Additionally, Assistant Sub Inspector Rajendra Kale and the Police Constables of DB were also part of the operation.
