Pune: In an ongoing series to curb the increasing menace of organised crime in Pune, Police Commissioner Ritesh Kumar has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Ganesh Baban Londhe, a 23-year-old recidivist from Kondhwa. The accused, along with his six accomplices, created terror in the area by brutally stabbing the hotel manager and workers with a sharp weapon.
This marks the 91st organised crime gang booked under the MCOCA Act by Commissioner Ritesh Kumar, reflecting law enforcement authorities’ unwavering commitment to tackling serious criminal activities in the city.
The charges against Ganesh Baban Londhe and his associates include sections under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) such as 307, 504, 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34. Additionally, charges under the Arms Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act have been filed. The case has been registered at Kondhwa Police Station.
The police investigation led to the arrest of gang members, including Ganesh Baban Londhe, Vishal Madhav Gore, Mayur Manik Purkast, Rishikesh Vitthal Ghadge, and Shubham Nandu Chavan. A minor child associated with the gang has been detained, while one accused remains at large, prompting an ongoing search operation by the police.
Ganesh Londhe, the alleged gang leader, has a history of criminal activities spanning a decade, including attempted murder, theft, culpable homicide, grievous hurt, property damage, and multiple attempts at robbery. Various police stations in Pune have previously registered cases against him and his gang.
The proposal to incorporate Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, of the MCOCA Act in the case registered at Kondhwa Police Station was submitted to the Additional Commissioner of Police, Western Regional Division, Ranjan Kumar Sharma. After careful scrutiny, the Additional Commissioner of Police approved the inclusion of the offence under MCOCA. The ongoing investigation is being spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Police of Wanwadi Division, Shahuraje Salve.
The operation, conducted under the guidance of Commissioner of Police Ritesh Kumar, involved a dedicated team, including Additional Commissioner of Police, East Regional Division Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Circle 5 Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikrant Deshmukh, and various officers and constables who played pivotal roles in apprehending the members of this crime gang.
