Pune Police Arrest Two Suspects, Conspirators in Vanraj Andekar Murder Case; Four Still on the Run

Reported By Tikam Shekhawat

Nana Peth, 2nd September 2024: Pune Police arrested two suspects this morning in connection with the murder of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Vanraj Andekar.

The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, and an FIR has been registered in this regard at Samarth Police Station.

Police Head Constable Sachin Ahiwale of Vishrambaug Police Station received information about the accused, Jayant Laxman Komkar (52) and Ganesh Laxman Komkar (37), both residents of Bhawani Peth. Acting on this information, they were apprehended and handed over to Samarth Police Station for further investigation, said Senior Police Inspector Vijayamala Pawar, in charge of Vishrambaug Police Station.

According to police sources, four additional suspects have been identified and are currently on the run. Authorities are intensifying their search efforts to nab them.

Vanraj Andekar, who was elected as a corporator in the 2017 civic elections from the Rasta Peth-Raviwar Peth ward, was the son of Bandu alias Suryakant Andekar, who led the notorious Andekar gang. The gang was known for its stronghold in the Nana Peth area of Pune city. Sources suggest that Vanraj’s murder may be connected to ongoing disputes within his extended family, particularly with his brother-in-law, Komkar.

Reports indicate that the assailants fired approximately five bullets at Vanraj before attacking him with sharp weapons. Despite being rushed to KEM Hospital, he was pronounced dead.

The Andekar family has a long history of political involvement in Pune, with Vanraj’s mother, Rajashree Andekar, serving as a corporator in 2007 and 2012. The family’s criminal background is also well-documented, with Vanraj’s father, Suryakant Andekar, having been previously arrested on multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, extortion, and kidnapping.