Pune: Blood-stained four decades of Andekar gang
Pune: The Andekar gang has a four-decade-old, blood-stained past in Nana Peth, where it has been terrorising people. It is said that what you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. This held true about the murder of Vanraj Andekar. The Andekar family’s past is violent.
There were many criminal gangs in Pune. One of them was led by Balkrushna alias Balu Andekar. It used to run gambling (matka) and country-liquor dens and earn money. These gangs would sometimes clash, in which they would use bicycle chains, swords, Rampuri knives, soda water bottles, etc.
Beginning of the gang war
Gangster Balu Andekar and Pramod Malwadkar belonged to the same gang before they separated. Malwadkar left the gang and formed his own. They would clash in the 1980s to establish dominance over the city. The Andekar gang killed Pramod Malwadkar’s father. To avenge the murder, the Malwadkar gang killed Balu Andekar on the Shivajinagar Court premises on July 17, 1984. This fuelled the gang war between the two gangs. It was the worst gang war of its time in Pune. It claimed the lives of six goons. Clashes happened on and off for 10 years.
Pramod Malwadkar was killed in an encounter with the Crime Branch of the Pune Police. A police-sub inspector had received a bullet injury in it.
The Malwadkar gang was almost uprooted after Pramod Malwadkar’s death. This also gave a full stop to the gang war. But the Andekar gang started growing stronger. Balu Andekar’s son Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar became the gang leader.
Entry into politics
The Andekar gang held sway in the field of crime till then. However, it entered the civic elections in 1997. Four persons associated with the gang were elected in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. The next year, in 1998-99, Vatsala Andekar was elected as the mayor of the city. She was known as ‘Akka’. After her entry into politics, she cut her ties with the world of crime.
However, the Andekar brothers were increasing their might. If someone tried to oppose them, they used to get him killed through their henchmen. The Prakash Andekar gang was involved in contract (supari) killing. Bandu Andekar was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case. Later, the Andekar gang’s influence started waning.
During his sentence, his sons Vanraj and Krushna were running the gang. Cases were being filed against them. The police tried to control the gang. They externed Vanraj and Krushna later.
The Andekar family held sway in Nana Peth
Vanraj Andekar’s uncle was elected as a corporator in 1992. Vanraj Andekar’s mother Rajeshree was elected as a corporator in 2007 and 2012. Vanraj was also elected as a corporator in 2017.
After his release from jail, Bandu Andekar’s gang gained strength. At the same time, other gangs were also trying to establish themselves in the area. They started clashing with the Andekar gang. This led to crimes such as murder, attempt to murder, street fights and extortions. Bandu Andekar was booked thrice under the MCOCA.
Witnesses did not come forward in crimes committed by the Andekars. Even if someone dared to stand witness, they would not last. Therefore, the Andekar gang members were let off in the absence of proof.
The Andekar gang clashed with many new gangs such as the Atul Kudle gang, Suraj Thombre gang, etc. The Andekars eliminated or tried to eliminate many of them. However, Vanraj Andekar was killed due to a feud within the family. The Andekars will not only have to take on rival gangs but also face a strife within the family.
