Cops investigating attack on Chakan firm GM say arrested union chief Prakash Pawar had also threatened six other company heads in the Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial area

Investigations into the Pimpri firing case have revealed that arrested union leader Prakash Pawar was a blackmailer and used to threaten and force companies in the industrial hub of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chakan and Khed to hire labourers from his union.

Vincent Gilbert (50), the general manager of Chetak Logistics Limited, Chakan, had survived a bid on his life on August 25 after four assailants shot at him and fled away. Pimpri police arrested Pawar and two other accomplices Mahesh Shivaji Shinde and Bachchan Badal Pandey in this regard.

Besides Gilbert, Pawar had issued threats to general managers and owners of six companies including Lumax Auto (Bhosari), K S H International (Chakan), Om Logistics (Khed), and Munji Private Limited, Elan Paper Inverter, and Agarwal Packaging Private Limited (Chakan).

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Dnyaneshwar Chavan said, "Pawar's act can only be described as blackmailing and extortion. He has been threatening companies to hire labourers from his union and that too on his own terms and conditions. Whether the company officials agreed or refused, in either case, Pawar would start demanding ransom."

Source of firearm
Pimpri police are also investigating the source of the firearm that was used to fire at Gilbert.
"We have got information about the suspect who helped Pawar in getting the firearm. He is located outside the
City and hence we cannot disclose information about him till we nab him," DCP Chavan said.