Pune: Kothrud police will soon initiate proceedings to attach properties of proclaimed absconder and RTI activist Ravindra Laxman Barhate who is wanted in several extortion and land grabbing cases registered at different police stations in the city.

Barhate has two houses - one in Sargam society at Dhankawadi and another in Madhuban Apartment at Lullanagar - in Pune city. Barhate has been declared as a proclaimed absconder by the court on October 3 as per section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Kothrud police have appealed to citizens to share any information regarding the whereabouts of Barhate. The court proceedings under section 83 (attachment of property of person absconding) of the CrPC have been initiated and soon a court order will be obtained regarding this, police said in a press release issued on Monday (December 28).

Recent investigation into several land grabbing and extortion cases has revealed that Barhate along with other accomplices including dismissed cop Shailesh Jagtap, ex-journalist Devendra Jain and 10 others were involved in these serious offences. A total of 14 FIR's have been registered against them at various police stations in Pune city and rural areas. Barhate and his accomplices were also booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Barhate had applied for anticipatory bail in the Shivajinagar District and Sessions court at Pune, Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in Delhi. His application has been rejected by all the courts and since then he is on the run.

Builders Sudhir Karnataki and Rishikesh Bartakke had lodged separate cases against Barhate and his accomplices at the Kothrud and Samarth police station respectively.