Bandu Andekar Gang Members Get Court Nod To Contest Pune Civic Elections

The Special MCOCA court in Pune has permitted three accused in the sensational Ayush Komkar murder case to contest the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections.

Those granted permission include Bandu alias Suryakant Ranoji Andekar, who is currently in judicial custody, former corporator Lakshmi Andekar and Sonali Andekar, wife of former corporator Vanraj Andekar.

According to the information, Special Judge S. R. Salunkhe clarified in the order that contesting an election is a constitutional right of every citizen and, therefore, no special permission from the court is required for filing nominations. The court also stated that there is no legal restriction preventing the accused from participating in the electoral process.

However, for completing procedures such as filing nomination papers or other mandatory legal formalities, the court allowed the accused to apply for a police escort if required. The court said such requests would be considered based on the circumstances.

Gangster Andekar and his family have been booked after the death of Ayush Komkar, son of accused Ganesh Komkar, who was shot dead on September 5. Police investigations have suggested that the killing was a retaliatory act linked to the earlier murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar, who was gunned down and attacked with sharp weapons during a gang rivalry between the Bandu Andekar gang and the Somnath Gaikwad gang.

Currently, 15 accused, including Bandu (70), Lakshmi (60), and Sonali (36), all residents of Nana Peth, are in judicial custody under the MCOCA proceedings.

Advocate Mithun Chavan represented the three accused and argued that under the Representation of the People Act, even accused persons in custody hold the right to contest elections unless legally disqualified. Accepting this argument, the court allowed them to proceed with the election process.

The order has generated widespread discussion in political circles ahead of the PMC elections.