Pune, 30 September 2025: Nilesh Ghaywal, a Pune-based gangster with over a dozen criminal cases including murder and extortion, has reportedly travelled abroad despite police marking him "not available" during passport verification.
The Pune City Police issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) after discovering his travel while investigating violent attacks in the Kothrud area. On September 17, members of the Ghaywal gang allegedly attacked resident Prakash Dhumal and a 19-year-old student, Vaibhav Sathe, using firearms and sharp weapons. Both victims were hospitalised.
Following the incidents, police arrested five alleged gang associates and invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Ghaywal and eight of his members. Authorities also seized several of his vehicles during the investigation.
However, police soon discovered that Ghaywal had left India, first reaching London. He is now reportedly in Switzerland on a 90-day visa. The discovery has raised serious questions about how a man with such an extensive criminal record obtained a passport.
Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge of Ahilyanagar explained that Ghaywal applied for a Tatkal passport in 2019, declaring a residence in Ahilyanagar. Police verification found him absent at the declared address, and a ‘not available’ remark was forwarded to the regional passport office, a report normally considered negative. Authorities are now probing how the passport was still issued.
Ghaywal has a long criminal history, including working as a henchman for notorious gangster Gaja Marne from 2000 to 2003. A fallout between them led to violent clashes between their factions. He has previously faced preventive detention under the MPDA Act and prosecution under MCOCA.
Complicating matters, a High Court order had directed him to surrender his passport. Despite this, he allegedly continued to direct criminal activities in Pune through his gang members while his children study overseas. Investigations are ongoing to determine how he bypassed legal restrictions and travelled abroad.