In a significant move to combat organized crime, Pune Police has taken action against Vikrant alias Sarda Devkule and his gang of five accomplices. The gang had been terrorizing the Vishrantwadi area, threatening delivery personnel of Zomato Company with weapons, attacking two-wheelers and three-wheelers with sharp weapons, and causing havoc in the locality. The Pune Police Commissioner, Ritesh Kumar, has so far initiated action against 40 organized crime gangs under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), demonstrating the authorities’ determination to curb such criminal activities.
The gang leader, Vikrant alias Sarada Prakash Devkule, along with Kunal alias Sahil Babu Perumalat, Rohit Shailesh Sadakle, Ganesh Babu Bawdane, Aditya Bharti Shedge, and Tejas alias Balma Arjun Gaikwad, has been arrested in connection with the crimes. An FIR has been registered against them at the Vishrantwadi Police Station, charging them under IPC sections 395, 397, 392, 341, 427, the Arms Act, and the Maharashtra Police Act. The incident occurred on July 17 near Chavan Chal in Vishrantwadi.
During the investigation of the case registered at Vishrantwadi Police Station, it was discovered that Vikrant alias Sarda Devkule had formed a new gang and had been involved in criminal activities for the past four years. The gang was accused of possessing weapons without a license, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt, unlawful assembly, damage to public property, creating terror, violating police law and order, and engaging in serious crimes to establish dominance in the Vishrantwadi area. Despite previous preventive actions, the gang continued to commit crimes repeatedly.
Vikrant alias Sarda Devkule, as the gang leader, has six serious crimes registered against him. In light of the gravity of the crimes and the gang’s repeated offenses, Senior PI Dattatraya Bhapkar proposed the inclusion of Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999, in the case. The proposal was submitted to Additional Commissioner of Police East Regional Division, Ranjan Kumar Sharma, who approved the inclusion of MCOCA in the case.
The investigation is now being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjay Patil of Yerwada Division (ACP Sanjay Patil), and the Pune Police, under the guidance of Commissioner Ritesh Kumar and other key officials, is determined to bring the culprits to justice. The joint efforts of law enforcement, including Joint Commissioner of Police IPS Sandeep Karnik and other dedicated officers, are ensuring that organized crime is dealt with effectively in the region. The team, including Senior Police Inspector Dattatray Bhapkar, Police Inspector Crime Bhalchandra Dhawale (PI Bhalchandra Dhawale), Police Officer Manoj Shinde, and Sunil Hasbe from the Surveillance Team, is committed to making Pune a safer place for its residents.
