A retaliatory attack on Wednesday targeting a relative of one of the accused in the murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar has raised concerns about a potential gang war in Pune. The attack, along with previous revenge killings of family members of suspects in the case, suggests a violent cycle of retribution.
Attack on Akshay Mhaske
On Wednesday morning, Akshay Mhaske, brother of Akash Mhaske—an accused arrested in the Vanraj Andekar murder case—was shot at and attacked with sharp weapons in the Balajinagar area of Dhankawdi. Police reported that Mhaske suffered critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city.
Pattern of Revenge Attacks
Authorities suspect that this attack is part of a revenge cycle allegedly orchestrated by the Andekar gang. The attacks have followed a consistent pattern: assailants first fire at the target and then use sharp weapons to inflict further injuries.
Several members of the Andekar family, including gang leader Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, his son Krishna, and other relatives such as his grandson, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law, are currently incarcerated. Wednesday's incident indicates that the gang continues to operate through associates and hired shooters outside the prison to carry out revenge killings.
Previous Killings
The first alleged revenge killing occurred in September last year when Ayush Komkar, grandson of Bandu Andekar and son of Ganesh Komkar, was murdered. Ganesh, Bandu's son-in-law, is among the 21 accused arrested in the Vanraj murder case.
In November last year, Ganesh Kale, an autorickshaw driver and brother of Sameer Kale—another accused in the Vanraj murder case—was killed in Yewalewadi. Police investigations revealed alleged links between the attackers and members of the Andekar gang, leading to Andekar family members being named in the FIRs.
Targeting Families of Accused
All accused arrested in the Vanraj murder case are currently in jail, and their families are being targeted in retaliatory attacks. In September last year, police foiled an alleged plot to attack family members of Somnath Gaikwad, another key accused in the case, in the Ambegaon Pathar area.
Vanraj, a former NCP (undivided) corporator, was murdered in September 2024 in Nana Peth, allegedly over a property dispute involving his two sisters, who are married to brothers Jayant and Ganesh Komkar. Both Komkar brothers are currently in jail in connection with Vanraj's murder.
Expert Analysis
Retired ACP Bhanupratap Barghe stated that targeting family members of rivals is not new for the Andekar gang. In the criminal world, especially among gangs in Mumbai, there is an unwritten rule that family members are not targeted. However, the Andekar gang has never followed that principle and has attacked relatives of rivals in the past.
Barghe noted that the Andekar gang's network extends beyond Pune district, making it easier for them to arrange shooters and execute attacks despite several family members being in jail. Maintaining dominance through revenge has always been important for the Andekars, and they can go to any extent for it. Communicating from jail is not difficult for criminals, as there are several ways to pass messages outside.
Barghe disagreed with the notion that recent incidents point toward an emerging gang war in Pune, describing them as more of a family rivalry than a gang war. It is not exactly a gang war but a dispute between the Andekar and Komkar families. The Komkar gang is not strong enough to retaliate in the same manner and lacks the network that the Andekars have to operate from prison.
Vanraj was not directly involved in crime, but his murder angered his family, leading to the targeting of relatives of the accused. Ganesh Kale and Ayush, killed in retaliatory attacks, as well as critically injured Akshay Mhaske, did not have past criminal records. They were allegedly targeted only because they were relatives of the accused arrested in the Vanraj murder case, according to a police source.
