In a chilling daylight attack that underscores the persistent gang violence in Pune, an auto-rickshaw driver was shot dead in Kondhwa on Saturday, in what police suspect to be a continuation of an ongoing feud linked to the 2024 murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar. The incident has once again raised concerns about gang retaliation and public safety in the city’s south-eastern suburbs.

The deceased has been identified as Ganesh Kale, 36, a resident of Yewalewadi. According to police reports, Kale was gunned down near a petrol pump at Khadi Machine Chowk around 3:30 pm. Eyewitnesses described a highly coordinated attack, involving four assailants riding on two motorcycles. After trailing Kale, the attackers reportedly fired at him from close range and then struck him with a koyta, a sharp weapon, before fleeing the scene. The rapidity and brutality of the attack left bystanders in shock, and Kale died on the spot after sustaining multiple bullet injuries.

DCP (Zone 5) Rajkumar Shinde confirmed the details of the attack, stating, “Kale died on the spot after sustaining multiple bullet injuries. We have formed ten investigative teams to trace the assailants and recover the weapons used in the crime.” Police recovered one of the motorcycles involved in the attack and seized three live rounds from the scene. CCTV footage from nearby establishments is being scanned to identify the attackers and their escape route.

Investigators indicated that Kale’s killing is likely linked to a larger pattern of gang retaliation. Ganesh Kale was the cousin of Sameer Kale, who was arrested in 2024 for his alleged involvement in the murder of Vanraj Andekar, the former NCP corporator and son of notorious gangster Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar. Police sources believe that the recent killing could be an act of revenge by members of the Andekar gang, continuing a cycle of vendettas that has plagued Pune over the past year.

The ongoing rivalry between these factions has seen a series of retaliatory attacks. In September, the Andekar gang allegedly targeted Ayush Komkar, the son of Ganesh Komkar, in Bhavani Peth, resulting in his murder. The case led to the arrest of 16 people, including Bandu Andekar himself, nine members of his family, and several associates. Authorities also highlighted disturbing incidents involving minors participating in gang activities, including one who filmed a social media reel brandishing firearms.

Police investigations reveal a complicated network of familial and criminal connections. Ganesh Kale’s uncle, Datta Kale, had previously been arrested by the Bharati Vidyapeeth police for allegedly participating in a conspiracy orchestrated by the Andekar gang to avenge Vanraj Andekar’s murder. Authorities say that Ganesh Kale himself had been booked recently under Section 65(A) of the Bombay Prohibition Act, suggesting that he had previous run-ins with law enforcement.

According to police officials, the deceased was allegedly part of a larger criminal network involved in firearms procurement and gang retaliation. Sameer Kale, Ganesh’s cousin, reportedly acquired nine firearms from Madhya Pradesh under instructions from Soma Gaikwad, which were allegedly used in the murder of Vanraj Andekar. This procurement and circulation of weapons have intensified the violence between the rival factions, with the latest incident being a grim reminder of the ongoing threats posed by gang rivalries in Pune.

Senior police inspector Kumar Ghadge from Kondhwa police station confirmed that four individuals, including two juveniles, have been apprehended in Khed Shivapur. “The process to bring them back to Pune is underway,” he said. Police have also seized two firearms and two sharp weapons, believed to be used in the Kondhwa killing. Investigators are meticulously examining all angles, including possible links to previous retaliatory incidents, to establish the motive and identify any additional conspirators.

The sequence of events suggests a highly organised and premeditated act of violence. Witness accounts, along with recovered firearms and weaponry, point to the existence of structured criminal operations that operate beyond the immediate locality. Analysts note that this pattern of gang violence not only threatens individual safety but also destabilises neighborhoods, disrupts local commerce, and spreads fear among residents. Khadi Machine Chowk, the site of the attack, is a busy area frequented by commuters and local vendors, raising concerns about the risks posed to civilians caught in the crossfire of gang feuds.

Police sources say that they are also investigating whether social media has played a role in exacerbating tensions between the rival groups. The incident involving the minor filming a social media reel with firearms highlights a worrying trend of youth involvement in violent criminal networks, potentially influenced by gang culture and the glorification of weapons on digital platforms. Authorities are considering ways to counter such influences and prevent further recruitment of minors into criminal activities.

The broader context of this killing lies in the chain of revenge-motivated attacks that have plagued Pune since the murder of Vanraj Andekar in 2024. Vanraj Andekar, a former NCP corporator and a prominent figure in local politics, was assassinated under circumstances that remain partially unresolved. Following his death, rival gangs, including the Kale and Andekar factions, reportedly began a cycle of retaliation targeting associates and relatives of both sides. Ganesh Kale’s murder is widely viewed as part of this ongoing feud, which has embroiled multiple families, involved the procurement and circulation of firearms across state lines, and drawn in both adult and juvenile participants.

Authorities emphasise that the police are leaving no stone unturned in investigating the Kondhwa killing. In addition to standard investigative procedures, teams are analysing communication records, tracking financial transactions, and collaborating with district and state intelligence units to map out gang networks and potential future threats. Law enforcement agencies are also engaging with community members to gather information on suspicious activities and maintain vigilance in areas vulnerable to gang-related incidents.

The incident has reignited debate about public safety in Pune’s suburbs, particularly in areas with a history of gang-related violence. Residents have expressed fear and anxiety following the killing, noting that attacks in broad daylight erode confidence in law enforcement and disrupt daily life. Local political representatives have urged the police to ensure swift action, not only to bring the perpetrators to justice but also to prevent the escalation of further retaliatory attacks.

As of now, the Kondhwa police, under the supervision of DCP Rajkumar Shinde, are coordinating a large-scale investigation. Multiple teams have been deployed to track down the absconding assailants, recover additional weapons, and interrogate suspects. The police are also liaising with neighbouring districts to monitor potential movement of gang members and prevent further violence.

The Kondhwa murder serves as a stark reminder of the entrenched gang rivalries that continue to plague Pune and its surrounding areas. With cycles of revenge, complex family connections, and the involvement of firearms and juveniles, these incidents present a multifaceted challenge for law enforcement. Analysts suggest that addressing the issue will require sustained policing, intelligence gathering, community engagement, and interventions to prevent youth from being drawn into gang networks.

In conclusion, the murder of Ganesh Kale in Kondhwa is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger pattern of gang retaliation linked to the murder of former corporator Vanraj Andekar. The attack, carried out in broad daylight, underscores the continuing threat of organised crime in the region and highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing gang-related violence. With multiple arrests already made and investigations underway, police hope to bring the perpetrators to justice while preventing further escalation. For residents, the incident is a sobering reminder of the pervasive influence of gangs and the need for continued vigilance and community cooperation in ensuring public safety.

---