Police pose as truckers to ambush Sakkardara killers

Nagpur: Hours after two fruit sellers were battered to death at a Sakkardara market late Wednesday, cops disguised as truckers ambushed the murder suspects after smoking them out of their forest hideout near Vihirgaon highway. The crime branch sleuths hid inside parked trucks for nearly two hours, before using the accused's aides as bait to lure them out of the forested stretch. The moment the accused came out in the open, well past midnight, they walked into the police trap.Late Wednesday, key accused Rishi Puttawar and his gang allegedly killed 2 fruit vendors, Aditya alias Sonu Bhondve and Dadu alias Aditya Rahulkar, after a heated argument over dues and wages.Police first visited the house of Puttawar, who's linked to the 2019 Rishi Khosla murder case and has multiple cases against him, and found his associate, Niranjan Dalvi, with 10,000 in cash, which was reportedly meant to facilitate the escape of the double murder accused, hiding in a forest near Gargoti Nala in Vihirgaon outskirts. The late-night operation was led by DCP Deepak Aggarwal and senior PI Vinayak Golhe.When confronted, Dalvi claimed he was making a reel, but further questioning and mobile phone checks revealed calls from Puttawar. Interrogation led to more revelations, including the name of another aide, Sahil Chowdhury, who allegedly provided fresh clothes to the accused, who had blood splattered on their shirts. Another associate, Rachelwar, who worked as an accountant in a shop was involved in providing logistical support.The police team then laid a trap on the Vhirgaon highway, using Dalvi to lure the accused out of their forest hideout with a promise to pay the escape money. The officers positioned themselves inside the locked cabins of parked trucks, posing as ordinary truck drivers. As the three accused emerged from the forest and approached the highway to meet their aide, the cops jumped out of the trucks and surrounded them.While Puttawar is still on the run, the 3 accused in police net are Vaibhav alias Dadu Pradeeprao Dongre (30), Vedant alias Dabba Ajay Dabir (20) and Abhishek alias Tatya Uttam Raut (26). The trio was medically examined and handed over to Sakkardara police.Police sources said the fruit seller, Aditya Bhondve, who was lynched by Puttawar's gang, had earlier threatened and assaulted individuals and a complaint was lodged with Sakkardhara police. Investigators are now probing the conspiracy, possible involvement of more persons, including Rishi Puttalwar as a potential mastermind, recovery of weapons, and sequence of events.