Pune: In a major development in the Gaurav Ahuja obscene act case, Pune Police have arrested Bhagyesh Oswal, a close associate of the accused. Oswal was reportedly sitting beside Ahuja in the vehicle at the time of the Yerawada incident. He was taken into custody from Pune. Meanwhile, fresh details about Gaurav Ahuja’s criminal background have surfaced.
Gaurav Ahuja: A History of Crime and Gambling
Investigations have revealed that Gaurav Ahuja and his father, Manoj Ahuja, have a history of criminal activities. In 2021, Pune Police registered a gambling and kidnapping case against Gaurav at the Viman Nagar Police Station. At the time, he was only 20 years old and was allegedly involved in illegal cricket betting operations.
Ahuja was a member of a betting syndicate run by Pune-based gangster Sachin Pote. The gang specifically targeted college students, luring them into betting activities. Many students fell into debt due to gambling losses, and to recover their dues, the gang coerced them into stealing from their own homes. Those who failed to repay were reportedly abducted by the gang.
Following a complaint from a victim, Pune Police’s Crime Branch launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of Sachin Pote, Gaurav Ahuja, Ajay Shinde, and Sunil Makheeja. The Ahuja father-son duo has remained actively involved in various gambling businesses, including poker games, cricket betting, and Matka gambling operations.
Father-Son Duo Linked to Gambling-Funded Hotel Business
Authorities have confirmed that Manoj Ahuja was also arrested in connection with illegal gambling activities. Investigations suggest that the Ahuja family has invested in the hotel business using gambling profits. Their restaurant, ‘Cream & Kitchen’, is located in the Swargate area of Pune.
Police Intensify Search for Gaurav Ahuja
Further inquiries have revealed that Gaurav Ahuja is addicted to alcohol, and officials are also probing whether he is involved in the consumption of other narcotic substances.