Pune: The investigation into the murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar has revealed that the crime's complexity necessitates further detailed examination, and thus cannot be concluded within 14 days.
Recognizing the seriousness of the case and the requirement for a meticulous probe, the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) A.C. Birajdar extended the police custody of the suspects until September 12.
To date, 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with Andekar’s murder, with two more still being sought by the police. Among those detained on Tuesday, three are minors.
The murder weapons—a pistol and machetes—used by the suspects have not yet been recovered. The investigation team is actively tracing the origin of these weapons and the individuals who supplied them.
This information was presented in court on Wednesday (September 4), emphasizing that the investigation is still in progress and requires more time due to the complex nature of the conspiracy.
Senior Police Inspector Shabbir Syed of the Crime Branch, the leading investigator, stated in court that the suspects conspired to commit the murder and that all aspects of the crime need to be thoroughly examined. He argued that a 14-day police custody period is essential for the detailed questioning of the suspects and the recovery of the murder weapons.
Public Prosecutor Neelima Ithape-Yadav highlighted the brutality and premeditated nature of the crime, asserting that the suspects had carefully plotted Andekar’s murder.
Defense attorneys for the accused, including legal representatives Jyoti Inje, Vijay Lengare, S.B. Rasal, and Trupti Sawant, contended that most of the investigation has been completed within the four days since the incident occurred, thus opposing the extended police custody. They argued that further detention was unnecessary given the current progress of the investigation.
The court was also alerted to technical discrepancies in the case diary, which were brought to the attention of the police with instructions to ensure proper documentation in accordance with legal standards, including systematic presentation of investigation details.
List of Arrested Accused:
Aniket Gyaneshwar Dudhbhate (31)
Tushar Ankush Kadam (30), both residents of Ambegaon Pathar
Deepak Kisan Toramkar (29)
Akash Bapu Mhaske (24), both residents of Ambegaon Pathar
Sameer Kisan Kale (26), resident of Yewalewadi
Vivek Pralhad Kadam (25), resident of Ambegaon Pathar
Umesh Nandu Kirve (26), resident of Ambegaon Pathar
Om Dhananjay Deshkhare (20), resident of Ambegaon Pathar
Sahil Baban Kendale (20), resident of Dattanagar
Ajinkya Gajendra Suravase (19), resident of Ambegaon Pathar
Earlier, other suspects including Prakash Laxman Komkar (51), Sanjivani Komkar (44), Ganesh Laxman Komkar (37), Jayant Laxman Komkar (52), all residents of Bhavani Peth, and Somnath Sayaji Gaikwad (41), resident of Ambegaon Pathar, were also arrested.