Pune ex-corporator shot dead by bike-borne assailants, captured on CCTV
Vanraj Andekar, a former corporator of the Pune Municipal Corporation and a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot dead by a group of bike-borne men in the city's Nana Peth area on Sunday night. The police suspect that the murder is linked to an internal dispute within his extended family. CCTV footage from the scene shows at least 12 men on six two-wheelers reaching Andekar's premises and brandishing firearms.
Andekar's political background
Andekar is the son of Bandu alias Suryakant Andekar, a key member of the notorious Andekar gang. He was elected as a corporator at Pune Municipal Corporation from the Rasta Peth - Raviwar Peth ward in 2017. His mother, Rajashree Andekar, also served as a corporator in 2007 and 2012. The Andekar gang has a stronghold in the Nana Peth area of Pune city where Vanraj was murdered.
Details of the attack and ongoing investigation
"Five rounds were fired at Vanraj Andekar. He was also attacked with long-blade sickles. He was brought dead to KEM Hospital," said Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma. The Pune crime branch is currently investigating this high-profile murder case. It has been reported that the attackers managed to tamper with the power supply in the area and turn off street lights, indicating a premeditated act.
Public reaction and police response to the murder
Following the murder, a large crowd gathered in the area, prompting police to deploy additional teams for crowd control. "Vanraj Andekar was brought dead to KEM hospital. His body has been sent to Sassoon Hospital for a post-mortem," confirmed Additional Commissioner of Police Sharma. The post-mortem is expected to provide more details about his injuries and the cause of death.
