Pune: Bibvewadi Police Arrest Recidivist Gang from Karnataka for Kidnapping Priest and His Disciples

Pune :

In a major breakthrough, Bibvewadi police have arrested three criminals from Karnataka involved in the kidnapping and extortion of a priest and his disciples. The arrested accused have been identified as Ramu Apparam Balun (29), Datta Shivaji Kare (20), and Harshad Suresh Patil (22), all residents of Jat taluka in Sangli district.

The incident began on September 29, when the accused visited the priest’s house and met his son. They persuaded him to arrange for his father, the priest, to perform a house puja in Vijayapura, Karnataka. Trusting their request, the priest, along with his disciples, accompanied the accused to Vijayapura.

Reaching there, the criminals abducted the priest and his disciples, threatening them with pistols and sharp weapons. They extorted Rs 5 crore from the victims by holding them in captivity at a secluded location.

Following the kidnapping, Bibvewadi police launched a thorough investigation in this case. Based on reliable information, the investigation team discovered that the priest and his disciples were being held captive near Sindhanur, Karnataka. Accordingly, a team, led by Police Sub-Inspector Ashok Yevale, Police Ammladar Sumeet Takpere, and Jyotish Kale, quickly travelled to Karnataka to rescue the victims.

With the help of local police, the Bibvewadi police located the hideout and found the priest and his disciples locked in a room in an isolated area. As soon as the accused saw police, they attempted to flee, but police apprehended them and confiscated their weapons.

After that, the police successfully rescued the priest and his three disciples. Additionally, four more disciples who had been detained separately by the accused were also freed. Police informed that the weapons used in the kidnapping were seized, and the three criminals were arrested on the spot.

The arrested individuals have been taken into custody, and further investigations are underway.

This action was taken by the team of Senior Police Inspector Mangal Modhave, Manoj Kumar Londhe, Police Sub-Inspector Ashok Yevale, Police Ammaldar Sanjay Gaikwad, Santosh Jadhav, Sumit Takpere, Jyotish Kale, Ashish Gaikwad, Pranay Patil, Shivaji Yevale, Vishal Jadhav, Nitin Katurde, and Abhishek Dhumal under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police R Raja, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dhanyakumar Godse.