Special Correspondent
Pimpri: Kalyani Deshpande, a notorious figure from Pune previously convicted in a high-profile prostitution racket, had turned to a new illegal venture—ganja distribution. Her drug network was recently dismantled by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police. Acting on a tip-off, police raided her residence and shop, arresting her husband, cousin’s son-in-law, and niece. A total of 20.736 kg of ganja worth ₹11.27 lakh was seized.
The operation took place on Saturday evening at “Kalyani Collection”, a store run by Deshpande on Pashan-Sus Road in Bavdhan, and at her nearby residence. Those arrested include her husband Umesh Suryakant Deshpande (56), cousin’s son-in-law Abhishek Vikas Ranawade (32) from Shaniwar Peth, Pune, and her 22-year-old cousin niece.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Doifode, the city police have intensified their efforts to eradicate the sale of narcotics under the directive of Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey. Multiple dedicated teams are actively monitoring and cracking down on drug distribution activities in the city.
On Saturday, the Anti-Narcotics Squad, led by Senior Police Inspector Santosh Patil and Assistant Inspector Vikram Gaikwad, was patrolling the Bavdhan area when they received confidential information about the illegal ganja trade. The lead pointed to “Kalyani Collection” and the adjacent residence of Kalyani alias Jayshree Deshpande. A raid was conducted, which resulted in the seizure of ganja and the arrest of her close relatives.
Police sources revealed that Kalyani Deshpande had previously run a major sex racket in Pune, for which she was convicted. After serving her sentence, she began orchestrating a large-scale cannabis distribution network across Pimpri-Chinchwad, using her husband, niece, and cousin’s son-in-law as key operatives. It is believed she was supplying the ganja herself and planning to expand the network.
Though the racket has been busted, police are now investigating whether a wider distribution chain had been established. A case has been registered against Kalyani Deshpande, and police teams have been dispatched to arrest her, as she is currently absconding.
