History-sheeter gunned down by rival gangsters in Panshet

A history-sheeter, who owed allegiance to the dreaded Nilesh Ghaywal gang, was allegedly shot dead by rival criminals associated with Gajya Marne gang on Sunday night near Panshet, around 50 kilometres from Pune city.

Police said eight shot were fired at (in pic) Pappu alias Gorakh Gopinath Taware (32), of which six hit him. Taware had 18 serious criminal offences registered against him and was wanted by the Pune Rural in several cases for many years. He was also booked under the stringent MCOCA by the Rural police.

A case has been registered against four persons -- Rupesh Taware, Pappu Pasalkar, Pintu Pasalkar and Tushar Pasalkar -- on the charges of murdering Pappu Taware. His wife Sarika lodged the complaint at the Haveli police station.

According to police, Pappu Taware and Pappu Pasalkar were embroiled in a dispute over the issue of securing the boating contract for the Panshet and Warasgaon dams. Sashte, an associate of Pappu Taware, was injured in a firing incident, which had taken place at Khanapur a few days ago. Police said Pappu Taware's murder may be a fallout of this rivalry.

Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Manojkumar Lohiya said, "Haveli police had received a tip-off that Pappu Taware would be attending a religious function at Dhangarwadi, his native place. When the police personnel reached the village, they did not spot Taware. After searching the place, the police team had left for Pune city. Sometime later, they received a call about the firing incident on Pappu Taware. The police team went back to village where they found Taware lying in the pool of blood. He was shot and later attacked with sharp weapons by his assailants."

Meanwhile, Pappu Taware's family has alleged that the police personnel in collusion with the rival gang members had conspired together. The family alleges that the incident was an ‘encounter' carried out by the police at insistence of the Gajya Marne gang members.

Lohiya, however, refuted the charges, stating the it was after the police team left the village that Pappu was attacked by his rivals.u00a0