Pune: The Crime Branch has been granted a 30-day extension by the Special Court to file a chargesheet against 18 individuals accused in the murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar.

Special Judge V.R. Kachare approved the extension following a request from the investigation team.

Assistant Police Commissioner Ganesh Ingle, the lead investigator, sought the extension citing the need for a thorough investigation.

The case involves 22 accused, including two minors, with the primary suspects — Somnath Gaikwad, Aniket Dudhbate, Prakash Komkar, and Ganesh Komkar — currently in judicial custody at Yerawada Jail.

The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) has been applied in this case, which allows for an extension of the chargesheet filing deadline from 90 to 180 days.

The investigation is complex, involving the analysis of bank accounts, tracing properties linked to organized crime, and reviewing evidence such as CCTV footage and mobile phone records.

The forensic laboratory’s reports are awaited, and an identification parade for the accused is scheduled at Yerawada Jail. Witness testimonies are also being documented.

The incident took place on September 1 in the Doke Talim area of Nana Peth, where Andekar was brutally murdered using firearms and sharp weapons.

The attack is believed to have stemmed from disputes over family matters, property, and dominance. Investigations reveal that Andekar's sister Sanjivani, her husband Jayant, and relatives Ganesh and Prakash were involved in a family feud with him.

Police suspect that Prakash Komkar masterminded the murder as revenge for Andekar’s role in the removal of illegal encroachments on a shop.

Komkar allegedly collaborated with Somnath Gaikwad, a former member of the Andekar gang, to execute the plan. The motive was further fueled by Gaikwad’s desire to avenge the murder of his aide, Nikhil Akhade, allegedly killed by Andekar’s gang.