Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil on Friday held a meeting with Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to discuss the recent surge in crimes across the city.
During the meeting, he urged the police to collect data on known criminals, identify their illegal assets, and initiate action through the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
BJP MP Murlidhar Mohol also attended the meeting.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Patil said, “Certain incidents in the past few days have attempted to create a wrong impression of Pune. I met the police commissioner regarding these incidents in Kothrud and other parts of the city,” according to the PTI.
The meeting followed a series of high-profile crimes, including a shooting linked to associates of fugitive gangster Nilesh Ghaywal in Kothrud last month and the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy, for which three teenagers were detained earlier this week.
Patil said that the government had directed police to prepare a comprehensive list of offenders and submit it to the ED with evidence for further investigation.
“We will pursue the matter in Delhi and ensure the ED acts against those involved. The Pune police will file a formal complaint with all supporting documents,” he stated, as per the PTI.
Responding to allegations about his links with criminals, Chandrakant Patil denied any connection.
“I meet 2,000 to 3,000 people daily, and many take photographs. That doesn’t mean I have ties with them. I’ve told police not to spare anyone, even if they use my name,” he said, the news agency reported.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Pune on Tuesday, following which three teenagers were detained, police said, reported news agency PTI.
The incident, which was a fallout of an old enmity, took place near Maharana Pratap Garden located on Bajirao Road in the heart of the city.
“A teenager, who was going on his motorbike with his friend, was stabbed to death with sharp weapons. Three accused were identified and they were taken into custody. We have also recovered a weapon that was used in the murder,” an official of Khadak police station said, reported PTI.
All the accused as well as the deceased were residents of Parvati area. The reason behind the murder is previous old enmity, he said, reported PTI.
“The three accused, the deceased and his friend were below 18 years of age. None of them are related to any gang. These are just rogue elements,” he added.
(with PTI inputs)