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Pune, 2nd October 2024: A case of abduction involving a priest and his disciples, under the guise of taking them to Karnataka for a religious ceremony, has come to light. The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore. A joint operation by the Pune police and Karnataka police led to the arrest of three suspects from Karnataka. The court has remanded the accused in police custody until October 5.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ramu Apparai Valun (29) from Trikundi, Jat Taluka, Sangli; Datta Shivaji Kare (20); and Harshad Suresh Patil (22) from Asangi, Jat Taluka, Sangli. The complainant, Jarang Tulshiram Lande (51), a resident of Bibvewadi, reported the abduction of his son Bajrang Lande, who is a priest.
On July 29, the accused approached Bajrang’s son, Swapnil, claiming they wanted to perform a pooja and install an idol at Harshad Patil’s house in Bijapur, Karnataka. The priest, Bajrang Lande, along with seven of his disciples, agreed to travel to Karnataka for the ceremony. Upon arrival, they were confined to a room, and the abductors contacted their families, demanding a ransom of Rs 5 crore.
After receiving the complaint, Bibvewadi police launched an investigation, which revealed that the suspects were in the Raichur area of Karnataka. With assistance from the Karnataka police, the three suspects were apprehended.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) R Raja, with Bibvewadi police station’s Senior Police Inspector Mangal Mondwe, Crime Branch Inspector Manoj Kumar Londhe, and Police Sub-Inspectors Ashok Yewle, Jyotish Kale, and Sumit Takpere leading the investigation.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
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