Pune, 18th July 2026: A week after a mobile phone businessman was attacked with a machete in Kothrud, the Pune Crime Branch has arrested six people, including the alleged mastermind, and detained two juveniles. Police investigations have revealed that the attack was allegedly planned as a contract killing following an internal dispute involving the victim.
The attack took place on July 14 on Karve Road in Kothrud. A case was registered at Alankar Police Station, following which the Crime Branch's Anti-Extortion Cell launched an investigation to identify and trace the attackers.
During the investigation, Crime Branch personnel Somnath Kamble and Rahim Shaikh received information that the prime suspect, Siddhesh Nitin Dhumal (25), was hiding near Ghorpade Garden. Acting on the tip-off, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Prasanna Jarhad laid a trap and arrested him.
During questioning, Dhumal revealed the identities of his alleged associates, including Nagesh alias Ladu Raju Manike (19), Raj Tushar Dhumal (19), and two juveniles, who were subsequently taken into custody.
Further investigation uncovered that the attack was allegedly carried out after the victim's rivals hired the accused to kill him over an internal dispute. Based on the findings, police arrested three more suspects—Prasad Subhash Marne (31), Aditya Ashwinikumar Dake (28) and Meghraj Dnyaneshwar Barangale (35)—for allegedly conspiring and financing the attack.
Police said the investigation established that the assault was not spontaneous but a pre-planned attempt to eliminate the businessman.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Extortion Cell under the supervision of Police Inspector Mahesh Sagade. Officers from Crime Branch Unit III, including Police Inspector Prashant Annachhatre, Assistant Police Inspector Prasanna Jarhad, Nanasaheb Kadam and their team, played a key role in tracing and arresting the accused.
Police said further investigation is underway to establish the complete sequence of events and identify whether any additional persons were involved in the conspiracy.
