Pune: Goon Gaja Marne’s Mutton Party Backfires on Police; API and 4 Cops Suspended
Pune: The infamous mutton party of gangster Gaja Marne has landed the Pune police in serious trouble. Following the incident, one Assistant Police Inspector (API) and four police personnel from the Pune Police Department have been suspended. While being transported to Sangli prison, Marne was allowed to stop at a roadside dhaba and have a mutton meal in the presence of the police a shocking incident that has sparked major controversy.
Despite being a criminal under custody, Marne was not only served food from outside but was also treated with undue leniency, leading to disciplinary action against the officers involved.
The suspended personnel include:
API Surajkumar Yallappa Rajguru
PH Mahesh Laxman Bamgude
PH Sachin Laxman Memane
PH Ramesh Tauji Memane
PC Rahul Manohar Pardeshi
Gaja Marne, booked under the stringent MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act), was serving time at Yerwada Jail. A few months ago, he was being transferred to Sangli prison when this incident occurred.
On the way to Sangli, the police van stopped at a dhaba in Satara. The officers had a meal there, and soon after, a vehicle linked to Marne’s gang also arrived at the spot. Members of the gang brought a mutton dish from the dhaba and handed it over to Marne, who remained seated inside the police van. The entire episode was captured on the roadside dhaba’s CCTV cameras.
As soon as the Pune Police Commissioner was informed about the incident, an immediate inquiry was ordered. The Crime Branch examined the CCTV footage, confirming the incident.
The police officers were suspended for allowing an undertrial gangster to consume outside food, facilitating contact with his gang members, taking independent decisions without informing their superiors, and compromising the safety and integrity of the operation. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma issued the suspension orders based on these serious breaches of protocol.
This incident has raised serious concerns about police discipline and accountability in handling high-risk undertrial prisoners.
