Pune's Battle Against Organized Crime: 33 Gangsters Eliminated in Police Encounters Over Three Decades
In the last three decades, Pune has witnessed the elimination of 33 gangsters in police encounters, highlighting the city's ongoing battle against organized crime, particularly in land grabbing and illegal construction.
PuneOrganized CrimePolice EncountersLand GrabbingReal EstateReal Estate PuneJun 17, 2025
The latest such incident took place recently when Shahurkh Shaikh, a notorious member of the Tipu Pathan gang from Hadapsar, was shot dead by Pune Police in an encounter at Lamboti village in Solapur district. His death has reignited discussions about the effectiveness and ethics of encounter killings as a tool to curb gang violence.
The city’s first recorded encounter occurred on May 22, 1983, in the Dhobi Ghat area of Pune Camp, where gangster Raju Hissamuddin Shaikh was killed. Nearly a decade later, on May 17, 1992, gangster Jaggya Mhaskhe was shot dead near Dandekar Bridge during a shootout with then-sub-inspector Dattatray Temghare.
The 1990s saw an influx of Mumbai gangsters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Members of the Arun Gawli gang, including Kiran Walawalkar and Ravi Karanjavkar, were killed in an encounter in Kondhwa — a significant operation led by officers Suresh Pote and Temghare.
Several high-profile criminals have been eliminated in encounters since then, including:
- Meghnath alias Budhlya Shetty (Yerwada)
- Pramod Malwadkar (Pimpri-Kalewadi, 1997)
- Suresh Takale, Khalil Shaikh, Mohammad Shaikh, Rohidas Yewale, Robert Salve, Rahul Kandhare, Mobin Shaikh, Baba Gandale, and others.
These operations brought attention to officers like Ashok Chandgude, Vinod Satav, Rajendra Joshi, Ajit Joshi, and Milind Gaikwad, whose teams led many of the successful operations.
Criminals from outside Pune were also involved in major incidents. Suresh Manchekar’s gang members, including Vishwanath Kamat, Gopal Naidu, and Sakharam Kolekar from Kalyan, as well as Dilip Gosavi from the Chhota Rajan gang, were neutralized in encounters with Pune Police. Sadashiv Shetty, known for robbing couriers (angadias), was shot dead near Chandni Chowk.
Over time, organized crime syndicates in Pune began replicating Mumbai’s gang structure, particularly in land dealings. These gangs were involved in land grabbing, threatening occupants, and facilitating illegal construction, often backed by funding from real estate developers. Their rising wealth and power lured many youth into gangs, fueling inter-gang rivalries in areas like Mulshi, Kothrud, Kondhwa, Maval, and Bibwewadi.
Police efforts to curb gang dominance saw a shift after the Supreme Court issued strict guidelines regarding encounters. Human rights commissions and victims’ families raised concerns about police conduct, resulting in a reduction in such incidents. Instead, authorities intensified the use of stringent legal provisions, invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and the MPDA (Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act). These laws made it difficult for gang leaders and their associates to secure bail, effectively curbing their influence.
Despite these crackdowns, minor gang activities have surged, involving vehicle arson, assault, and murder attempts, often carried out by minors or youth under gang influence. Many aspire to emulate notorious gang leaders, aiming to create fear and establish dominance. The challenge for Pune Police now lies in tackling this new generation of crime, where the masterminds may be behind bars, but their legacy continues through younger foot soldiers. With a rapidly growing urban population and increasing socio-economic divides, the city faces the pressing task of evolving its crime prevention strategies to address these shifting patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the recent encounter involving Shahurkh Shaikh?
The recent encounter involving Shahurkh Shaikh, a notorious member of the Tipu Pathan gang, highlights the ongoing battle against organized crime in Pune. It has reignited discussions about the effectiveness and ethics of encounter killings as a tool to curb gang violence.
How did the 1990s affect the criminal landscape in Pune?
The 1990s saw an influx of Mumbai gangsters in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Members of the Arun Gawli gang, among others, were involved in significant encounters, which marked a turning point in the city's criminal landscape.
What are the primary activities of these organized crime syndicates in Pune?
These organized crime syndicates in Pune are primarily involved in land grabbing, threatening occupants, and facilitating illegal construction, often backed by funding from real estate developers.
How have police strategies evolved in response to gang activities?
Police strategies have evolved to include the use of stringent legal provisions, such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and the MPDA (Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act), to curb the influence of gang leaders and their associates.
What challenges does Pune Police face in addressing the new generation of gang activities?
Pune Police face the challenge of tackling a new generation of crime, where the masterminds may be behind bars, but their legacy continues through younger foot soldiers. The city must evolve its crime prevention strategies to address these shifting patterns.
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