Crime Branch said one of the four alleged subordinates who are involved in two shootouts could lead them to the don
Crime Branch said one of the four alleged subordinates who are involved in two shootouts could lead them to the don
ADVERTISEMENT
It could soon be end of the road for underworld gangster Ravi Pujari who has become a terror to the builder community in the city over the last couple of years.
Mumbai Crime Branch arrested four alleged Pujari aides yesterday
In a prized catch, the Mumbai Crime Branch (CB) arrested four alleged Pujari aides, one of whom was directly in touch with Pujari and may be crucial in leading cops to the ganglord.
Acting on a tip-off that they were to gather at a bar in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, CB sleuths laid a trap and arrested Mohsin Ali Khan (42), Raju Jadhav (32), Yogesh Waghmare (28) and Khajappa Nagore (27), said police. The foursome is allegedly involved in two earlier shootouts in the city (see box).
"Khan was the group leader and he directly took instructions from Pujari, who ordered him to shoot and kill the targets," said Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police, Mumbai Crime Branch.
Senior officials said that Mohsin could hold crucial information about the gang's activities and could provide clues that could lead to Pujari. "His revelations will be vital and we may be able to get information about the gang's future targets," said a senior crime branch official.
Arms cache
A pistol, a revolver, four live rounds, four mobile phones and Rs 30,000 in cash were recovered from the accused. They were produced in court which remanded them to police custody till April 20.
u00a0
Preliminary interrogations also threw up information about the gang members receiving gun training in Rabale area of Navi Mumbai.
"Until recently, Pujari's aides were unemployed youths from North Indian states. The fact that his aides are now receiving gun-training indicates that he is becoming dangerous," said the official.
Cops scrutinising the gang's activities have observed that he is trying to flex his muscles in Navi Mumbai, currently a booming real estate market.
"Three of the arrested accused are residents of Rabale, with no prior criminal background," said Roy.
u00a0
Investigations revealed that the shootouts were carried out to rouse terror among businessmen and builders, creating an atmosphere conducive for Pujari's money extortion activities.
u00a0
"Post the two shootouts, several builders and businessmen received extortion calls. But we requested them not to bow down," said Roy.
Shootouts
March 14: Site supervisor Yogesh Sule (29) and engineer Shreekant Devarshi (28), employed with Sahana Group of companies were at a construction site in Andheri when they were shot dead at pointblank range allegedly by the four arrested accused.
February 28: Sanjay Phatak (35), the site engineer working with Shah Signature, was injured after two of the four accused opened fire at an under-construction building in Sector 17 in Vashi.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
