Pune, 19th Oct 2023: Pune City Police have apprehended two women, Pragya Kamble and Archana Nikam, on charges of aiding drug racketeer Lalit Patil in his escape from Sassoon General Hospital during his jail custody at Yerawada Central Jail. These women, allegedly associated with Patil, are believed to have facilitated his evasion and departure from the hospital.
The Nashik police took Pragya Kamble and Archana Nikam into custody, later transferring them to Pune police authorities. This development, in combination with Patil’s own arrest, could potentially reveal insights into a larger drug network. Notably, Lalit Patil was apprehended by the Mumbai Police last Wednesday in a hotel situated between Bengaluru and Chennai.
Reports suggest that the arrested women played a crucial role in assisting Lalit Patil in evading capture. They are suspected of providing shelter and financial support to Patil, transferring a sum of Rs 25 lakhs to him. Furthermore, Patil is believed to have conveyed some silver to them, raising concerns about undisclosed assets that could lead to significant discoveries.
It is essential to mention that the Mumbai Police had recently uncovered a drug manufacturing facility in Nashik linked to Lalit Patil. Patil’s escape from the hospital prompted inquiries into the procedures of the authorities, resulting in the formation of a state government committee tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding his escape.
