Special Correspondent
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : A dreaded robber who opened fire on police and attempted to run them over with a car was shot dead in an encounter by law enforcement officials. The deceased has been identified as Amol Khotkar, who had recently led a gang in a high-profile robbery at the residence of local industrialist Santosh Ladda in the Bajajnagar area.
The dramatic confrontation unfolded in Vadgaon Kolhati, where a fierce exchange of fire took place between police forces and the accused. Acting on specific intelligence that Khotkar was hiding in the area, multiple police teams swooped in during the night. Upon being cornered, the accused opened fire and attempted to escape by ramming his vehicle into the police, prompting retaliatory action in which he was killed.
The robbery in question occurred on May 15, between 2 and 4 a.m., when Khotkar and five accomplices stormed the Ladda residence while the family was away in the United States. Under the threat of firearms, the gang made away with 5.5 kg of gold and 32 kg of silver, totaling loot worth over Rs. 6 crore. The household caretaker, Sanjay Jhalke, was present during the incident.
Since the heist, seven teams from the crime branch and two teams from MIDC Waluj police station had been pursuing leads. Five members of the gang had already been arrested, and investigations had revealed Amol Khotkar as the mastermind. Acting on a tip-off that he was hiding near a garbage dump in the Kolhati area, police had planned a midnight operation to apprehend him.
When police surrounded the location, Khotkar tried to escape by opening fire and driving his car toward the officers. In response, the police fired back, leading to his death on the spot.
