Pune: In a surprising turn of events, the engineer who was assaulted by members of the Gajanan Marne gang has submitted an affidavit in court, stating that no one provoked the attackers. This contradicts Pune Police’s earlier claims that Marne had ordered the attack.
According to police, on February 19, the complainant was brutally beaten in Bhelkenagar, Kothrud by individuals allegedly associated with notorious gangster Gajanan Marne. Following the incident, police arrested six accused and invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).
Key Developments in the Case
The complainant submitted an affidavit stating that the assault was not instigated by Marne and that no one apart from the attackers was present at the scene.
Pune Police had earlier claimed that Marne had ordered the assault by saying, “He is acting too arrogant, beat him up.”
Two of the accused, Rupesh Marne and Babya Pawar, are still absconding, with police intensifying their search.
Special Judge V. R. Kachare remanded Marne to judicial custody, while the police secured an extension of custody until March 6 for three other accused.
The complainant stated, "This incident happened due to a misunderstanding. I had initially lodged a complaint against three to four unidentified individuals. No one provoked them before, during, or after the incident. The assault was not premeditated, and no external orders were given for it to take place."
Defense lawyer Advocate Vijaysinh Thombre argued in court that Marne was not present at the scene, making the police’s claims of incitement baseless. Supporting this, the complainant affirmed his affidavit in court. Considering the new statements, the court sent Marne to judicial custody while extending the police custody of other accused until March 6.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ganesh Ingle and Special Public Prosecutor Vilas Pathare had requested an extension of Marne’s police custody, arguing that they needed time for joint interrogation of the accused and to track down the absconding individuals. However, based on the latest developments, the court only granted an extension for three accused, while Marne was sent to judicial custody.