Pune, 10th July 2026: Police have invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the alleged 'Pathan gang' operating in Kondhwa for its involvement in organised extortion targeting builders and contractors. Two members of the gang have been arrested, while the investigation into the racket is ongoing.
According to police, the gang allegedly intimidated contractors by threatening to halt construction projects and lodge false complaints with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) over alleged illegal construction. The accused then demanded large sums of money to avoid such action.
The case came to light after contractor Akbar Khan, a resident of Ramtekdi in Hadapsar, approached the police. Khan was carrying out construction on his legally owned land in Kondhwa Khurd when the accused allegedly obstructed the work.
Police said the gang demanded ₹25 lakh and a 2-BHK apartment, threatening to get the construction demolished by filing false complaints with civic authorities. Fearing action against the project, Khan allegedly paid ₹15 lakh to the accused.
Based on his complaint, police registered a case against Shafi Gulzarkhan Pathan (66), his son Sameer Shafi Pathan (36), both residents of Pargenagar in Kondhwa, along with Kamal Nitin Khairnar (62) of Pisoli and Sajid Hasan Shaikh (40) of Pargenagar.
Police have arrested Shafi Pathan and Sameer Pathan. During the investigation, officers found that the accused were allegedly involved in similar extortion cases in the past, prompting the invocation of MCOCA.
Senior Police Inspector Santosh Khetmal submitted a proposal to invoke the stringent law, which was approved by Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil.
Police have urged citizens not to give in to extortion demands and to immediately report such incidents so that strict legal action can be taken against organised criminal groups.
