Pune: Mastermind Arrested in Vanraj Andekar Murder Case, 20 Arrested So Far

Nana Peth, 21st September 2024: Prasad Belhekar, the mastermind behind the murder of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Vanraj Andekar, has been arrested by the crime branch of Pune city police. To date, 20 individuals have been arrested in connection with the Andekar murder case, and two minors have been detained.

Andekar was shot dead with a pistol and stabbed with a koyta on 1st September in the Doke Talim area of Nana Peth, Pune. His murder stemmed from a family dispute as well as a conflict over power. Those arrested include Andekar’s sister Sanjivani, brother-in-law Prakash, Jayant, Ganesh Kemkar, Somnath Gaikwad, and Aniket Dudhbhate, along with their accomplices.

Following Andekar’s murder, Prasad Pandurang Belhekar, 33, of Samadhan Chowk in Nana Peth, fled the spot. Four serious cases, including attempted murder, have been filed against Belhekar, who is affiliated with the Suraj Thombare gang of Nana Peth. Thombare and Somnath Gaikwad are friends, and Gaikwad was seeking revenge for the Nikhil Akhad massacre that occurred a year ago. Investigations revealed that the accused, Komkar, Gaikwad, and Belhekar had conspired to kill Andekar.

Komkar and Gaikwad first met in December of last year, and Belhekar facilitated their meeting. Accused Ganesh Komkar and Belhekar communicated with each other via social media, and the police have gathered technical evidence to support this. Authorities stated that Belhekar played a crucial role in the murder conspiracy. Additionally, Andekar’s brother-in-law Ganesh was tasked with securing bail for the accused in the murder case and raising funds.

Ganesh Ingle, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, confirmed that Prasad Belhekar is the mastermind behind the Vanraj Andekar murder case, and the police have collected substantial evidence in this regard.