Pune: After spending three and a half years in Yerawada Jail under MCOCA charges, gangster Praful alias Gudya Ganesh Kasabe was recently released on bail. Within two days of his release, Kasabe and his supporters organized a rally in luxurious cars in the Yerawada Bazaar area, sparking fear and outrage among local residents.

The incident occurred late at night when Kasabe’s group of 50-60 supporters reportedly roamed through the marketplace, intimidating locals. Residents complained about the threatening behavior and registered grievances at the Shastrinagar Police Station. However, they alleged that no immediate action was taken against the accused.

The police confirmed they issued a notice to Kasabe after receiving information about the rally. Deputy Commissioner of Police Himmat Jadhav stated that Kasabe fled the area following the notice, and efforts are ongoing to locate him. Videos of the rally have since gone viral on social media, further highlighting the situation.

This is not the first time a gangster’s release has been marked with public displays of power. In July 2021, Kasabe was involved in a series of violent incidents in Yerawada’s Laxminagar area, where criminals broke into homes, vandalized properties, and created chaos. Kasabe and 14 others were arrested for crimes including attempted murder and possession of illegal weapons, leading to MCOCA charges against them.

Such gangster-led rallies have a history of sparking public concern. Similar incidents include the release of gangster Gajanan Marne, who organized a grand rally on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and a gangster in Nashik whose celebratory procession included slogans like "Boss is Back." While police efforts had temporarily curbed these displays, recent incidents suggest a resurgence of these intimidation tactics.