Two more arrested in Andekar murder case

Pune: Two more people were arrested on Wednesday night on the charge of criminal conspiracy and procuring firearms in the former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar murder case .Senior police inspector Shabbir Sayyed from the crime branch (unit 1) produced the co-conspirator, Sagar Pawar (32) from Ambegaon Pathar, and firearms purchaser Sahil Dalvi (19) of Taljai Vasahat before a magisterial court. They were remanded in police custody till Sept 18.With Pawar and Dalvi, so far 18 people, including a woman, have been arrested in the case so far. The police had earlier detained three minor boys. Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Nikhil Pingale told TOI, "Investigations revealed that Pawar and other suspects had actively participated in the conspiracy to eliminate Andekar. Pawar, a close associate of earlier arrested suspect Somnath Gaikwad, had received money and procured firearms through Gaikwad's gang members. Dalvi had accompanied Gaikwad's men to Madhya Pradesh and procured the firearms. He had also participated in the conspiracy."Crime branch personnel said Pawar was a former member of the Andekar gang, led by Vanraj's father Suryakant. He later joined hands with Gaikwad and the earlier arrested suspect, Aniket Dudhbhate. Andekar was shot at and then hacked to death with sharp weapons near Doke Talim in Nana Peth on the night of Sept 1 by a group of assailants.Senior police inspector Sayyed also produced the 16 suspects arrested earlier, including Sanjeevani Komkar, sister of Vanraj, before a court following the end of their custodial remand. The court extended the police custody of Sanjeevani's husband, Prakash Komkar, and their son, Ganesh Komkar, till Sept 15. The police custody of Sanjeevani, Somnath Gaikwad, and Jayant Komkar was extended till Sept 16. The custodial remand of 11 other suspects was extended till Sept 17.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !