With dreaded gangster Ashwin Naik in jail, out-of-work members of his gang have turned to robbery to make ends meet. The VP Road police recently arrested three in a failed robbery attempt at Kanbai Chawl
(From left) Sadananad Sawant, Nitin Sonawane, Amarsingh Wagh and Rakesh Shah, the caretaker of the senior citizen
With dreaded gangster Ashwin Naik in jail, out-of-work members of his gang have turned to robbery to make ends meet. The VP Road police recently arrested three in a failed robbery attempt at Kanbai Chawl.
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The arrested have been identified as Nitin Sonawane (34), Sadananad Sawant alias Nandu Thapa (46), and Amarsingh Wagh (45). All three had murder and extortion cases against them between 1995 and 2000. Naik is in Nashik jail for the last six months post his arrest in an extortion case. He and eight of his associates have been booked under the stringent MCOCA; hearing in the case is in the next couple of months.
Left empty-handed
On September 5, the trio had planned a robbery at the house of Padma Syania (70). Syania’s caretaker Rakesh Shah (45), also an accused in the case, had tipped off the three about cash and gold lying in the house. The three entered the house on the first floor and, while trying to get the elderly woman to reveal where the valuables were, a ground-floor resident, Panna Mukesh Rana (27), heard her screams and she ran up to her house.
“Rana screamed ‘chor chor’ to scare the accused, who fled on hearing her. The brave woman, however, didn’t stop there and chased them alone till the gate,” said inspector Rajendra Uttekar, the investigating officer in the case.
Bappa to the rescue
Even though Sonawane, who was being chased by Rana, managed to get out of the gate, he couldn’t go far, thanks to a passing Ganpati procession. And with the woman shouting, a few who were part of the procession managed to stop Sonawane and overpower him. Soon, the VP Road police were informed and a team reached the spot and arrested him.
Spilling the beans
During interrogation, Sonawane revealed the names of his associates. After a search operation, the police arrested the two on September 8. Soon, Shah was nabbed too. Officers have recovered a pistol and one round from Sawant.
Senior inspector Sanjay Kamble said, “We have arrested them under sections 394 (Voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery), 397 (Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt),âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088452 (House-trespass after preparation for hurt)âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Mumbai Police Act.”
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