Pimpri Chinchwad: In a major blow to illegal arms trade, the Property Crime Anti-Team of Pimpri Chinchwad Crime Branch apprehended three repeat offenders and recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition valued at ₹8.76 lakh. The operation was launched as part of ongoing efforts by senior police officials to clamp down on the circulation of unauthorized firearms and related criminal activities in the region.
Acting on credible intelligence, constables Ganesh Sawant, Sumit Devkar, and Vinod Veer received a tip-off regarding suspicious movement of three men in a grey Maruti Suzuki Ciaz without a registration plate in the Talegaon Dabhade area. The suspects were reportedly carrying pistols.
A swift response team under the leadership of Senior Police Inspector Vijay Dhamal promptly intercepted the vehicle along the old Pune-Mumbai highway near Talegaon Dabhade, leading to the arrest of the accused.
Arrested Individuals:
Umesh Chandrakant Kedari (28) – Resident of Punawale, Mulshi, Pune
Manthan alias Guddu Ashok Satkar (28) – Resident of Kanhe, Maval, Pune
Vishal Jyotiram Khanekar (30) – Resident of Mohitewadi, Maval, Pune
Seized Items:
5 country-made pistols
20 live rounds of ammunition
2 empty magazines
3 mobile phones
1 grey Maruti Suzuki Ciaz car
An FIR (No. 118/2025) has been filed at the Talegaon Dabhade Police Station under Sections 3, 5, and 25 of the Indian Arms Act along with Section 37(1) read with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. The accused have been remanded to police custody until June 4, 2025.
Preliminary findings suggest that the weapons were intended for illegal sale and to create fear in the community. Further background checks revealed disturbing criminal histories:
Umesh Kedari is involved in four cases, including one of murder
Manthan Satkar faces three charges, including attempted murder
Vishal Khanekar has two cases related to assault
This successful operation was carried out under the strategic supervision of Commissioner of Police Vinaykumar Choubey, Joint Commissioner Shashikant Mahavarkar, Additional Commissioner Sarang Awad, DCP (Crime) Sandeep Doifode, and ACP (Crime 1) Vishal Hire.
