Pune: The Andekar gang, a name synonymous with terror in Pune's Nana Peth area for the last four decades, has a history drenched in blood.
Known for their ruthless ways, the Andekars have long maintained a grip on the city's criminal underworld. The recent brutal murder of Vanraj Andekar, allegedly over a family dispute, serves as a grim reminder of the violent legacy that has plagued this family for generations.
The Rise of the Andekar Gang
In the 1980s, Pune was home to numerous gangs involved in illegal activities such as gambling, selling illicit liquor, and extortion. Among them was the Andekar gang, led by Balkrishna alias Balu Andekar.
These gangs used whatever weapons they could find, from bicycle chains to Ram Puri knives, to assert their dominance. However, the Andekars' rise to power was marked by a violent split with the Malvadkar gang, a former ally turned fierce rival.
The feud between the Andekars and the Malvadkars erupted into one of the most notorious gang wars in Pune's history. The Andekar gang's murder of Pramod Malvadkar's father led to bloody retaliation.
On July 17, 1984, Pramod Malvadkar avenged his father's death by killing Balu Andekar within the premises of Shivajinagar Court. This marked the beginning of a decade-long gang war, resulting in the deaths of six criminals and countless violent clashes.
Fall of Malvadkar and Rise of Bandu Andekar
The gang war reached its climax on November 19, 1997, when the Pune Police's Crime Branch encountered Pramod Malvadkar at Kalewadi and shot him dead.
This effectively ended the Malvadkar gang, but the Andekar gang continued to thrive. After Balu Andekar's death, leadership passed to his brother Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, who further solidified their control over Pune's underworld.
Andekar Gang's Foray into Politics
The 1997 Pune Municipal Corporation elections marked a new chapter for the Andekar gang as they made their entry into politics. Four gang members were elected, including Vatsala Andekar, who became Pune's Mayor in 1998-99.
Known as "Akka," Vatsala distanced herself from the gang's criminal activities after entering politics. However, the Andekar brothers continued to exert their influence, often resorting to violence against anyone who opposed them.
Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar was eventually sentenced to life imprisonment for a murder connected to the Faraskhana Police Station.
His incarceration temporarily weakened the gang's grip on the city, but his sons, Vanraj and Krishna Andekar, stepped in to manage the gang's operations. This led to a new wave of criminal charges against the Andekar family. In 2009, the police exiled both Vanraj and Krishna from the city in an effort to curb their influence.
The Andekar Family's Continued Dominance
Despite their foray into politics, the Andekar family maintained a stronghold in Nana Peth. Vanraj Andekar's uncle, Udaykant Andekar, became a corporator in 1992, and his mother, Rajashree Andekar, was elected in 2007 and 2012. Vanraj himself was elected as a corporator in 2017, continuing the family's political legacy.
After serving his life sentence, Bandu Andekar was released, leading to the resurgence of the Andekar gang. This resurgence, however, also attracted challenges from emerging gangs, resulting in a series of violent confrontations.
Bandu Andekar faced at least three MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act) actions, as the gang became embroiled in various crimes, including murders, assaults, and extortion.
Despite numerous criminal cases against the Andekar gang, they have often evaded conviction due to the reluctance of witnesses to testify and the lack of solid evidence. This has allowed the Andekars to maintain their influence in Pune.
A Family Torn Apart
While the Andekar gang successfully fended off challenges from rival gangs, the recent murder of Vanraj Andekar highlights a more personal conflict. Unlike previous incidents rooted in gang rivalry, Vanraj's death stemmed from a family dispute.
As the Andekar family, known for their violent history, now faces internal strife, it is clear that their bloody legacy has come full circle.