Tejas Navale

Pune: In a significant breakthrough, the Anti-Gang Squad of the Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch has successfully apprehended the main accused in a chilling revenge murder case. The arrest comes after an intensive investigation into the abduction and murder of a youth, whose body was brutally killed and burned in Vapi, Gujarat, in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The victim has been identified as Aditya Yuvraj Bhangre, an 18-year-old resident of Bhangre Vasti, Mahalunge Taluka Village. The main accused, identified as Rahul Sanjay Pawar, aged 34 and a resident of Mahalunge Ingle Taluka Khed, has been absconding since the crime was committed.

Pawar's evasion tactics included avoiding the use of mobile phones and altering his appearance by shaving off his hair and beard. To track him down, police meticulously interrogated 67 of his contacts and analysed 124 CCTV footage from various locations in the Nashik Phata and Kasarwadi areas where he was believed to have been sighted.

On Monday, the police received a crucial tip-off suggesting that Pawar would be in the Aundh area. Acting swiftly on this information, the police laid a trap and successfully detained Pawar as he alighted from a rickshaw. Attempting to conceal his identity, Pawar initially provided a false name, claiming to be Sagar Sanjay More (a resident of Alandi). However, upon thorough interrogation, he confessed his true identity as Rahul Sanjay Pawar.

Pawar had been on the run for a month following the gruesome murder, with police officials diligently pursuing leads to catch him. Finally, the relentless efforts of the anti-gang squad paid off, leading to his capture and subsequent arrest.

In addition to Pawar, several other individuals involved in the crime have also been apprehended. Shambhu Bhosle, Abhi Javale, Vaibhav Andhale, Vinod Butalwar, Shekar Natak, and Chhota Saket were booked and arrested by the Mahalunge Police Station. They are currently under judicial custody in Yerawada Jail.