Kolhapur Police Chief Establishes Special Team to Investigate Disappearance of Former Village Head
In a significant development aimed at accelerating the search for a missing former village council head, Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Yogeshkumar Gupta has officially constituted a dedicated Special Investigation Team. This nine-officer unit has been tasked with the urgent mission of locating Mahesh Dinkar Pilankar, the ex-sarpanch from Patgaon in Bhudargad tehsil, who has been untraceable for the past two months.
Formation Follows Direct Appeal from Family and Community
The decisive action was initiated following a direct meeting between SP Gupta and the concerned family members and associates of the missing former sarpanch. The group had formally requested a more focused and expedited investigative process into Pilankar's puzzling disappearance. Responding to this appeal, the police chief authorized the creation of a specialized team to spearhead the probe.
Composition and Leadership of the Special Investigation Team
The newly formed SIT will be led by Ramdas Ingawale, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer based in Gadhinglaj, who has been appointed as the primary in-charge. Inspector Ajay Sindkar will serve as the second in-charge, providing additional supervisory support. The team's composition reflects a multi-departmental approach, incorporating expertise from various police branches.
The full roster of the SIT includes:
- Inspector Gorakh Chaudhar from Bhudargad police station
- Inspector Sushant Chavan from the Local Crime Branch (LCB)
- Assistant Inspector Sagar Wagh, also from the LCB
- Assistant Inspector Atish Mhetre from the Cyber Police Station
- LCB officers Ram Koli and Raju Kore
Oversight and Reporting Protocol Established
Superintendent Gupta has mandated strict oversight for the investigation. The entire SIT operation will be monitored by the Additional Superintendent of Police stationed in Gadhinglaj. This senior officer's responsibilities will include ensuring seamless coordination among all team members and guaranteeing diligent, sustained efforts are made to trace the missing individual. Furthermore, the SIT in-charge is required to submit regular, detailed progress reports directly to the Superintendent of Police to maintain accountability.
Community Reaction and Call for Impartial Probe
Local activist Satishchandra Kamble has publicly welcomed the establishment of the special team. However, he emphasized the critical need for the investigation to be conducted fairly and without interruption. "We expect a dedicated and impartial probe. If we notice any negligence or a lack of meaningful progress, we reserve the right to stage protests," Kamble stated, highlighting community vigilance over the case.
Details of the Puzzling Disappearance
The circumstances surrounding the 52-year-old former sarpanch's vanishing remain deeply mysterious. Pilankar left his family home on the evening of January 7th, informing his parents he was attending a party with friends. He briefly returned home to fetch some curd before departing again, after which all contact was lost. His motorcycle was later discovered abandoned in his own farm, located approximately two kilometers from his residence.
During an extensive search operation conducted by police, a burnt skeleton was recovered roughly 200 meters inside the dense Patgaon forest area. The forensic analysis report for these remains is currently pending, and authorities are awaiting its findings, which could provide crucial evidence in this baffling case.
