Pune Police on Friday arrested gangster Shivam Suryakant Andekar, the leader of the Andekar Gang, and his aide for allegedly extorting Rs 48 lakh from a 38-year-old fish vendor at Nana Peth.
According to the police, the fish vendor lodged a complaint against gangster Andekar and his aides for extorting money - Rs 50,000 per month for the last 8 years - by threatening to kill him and shut his business.
The matter came to light when the vendor refused to pay in the month of May.
After the complainant refused to pay the extortion money for May, in a fit of rage, Akash Pardeshi (Shivam’s aide), a resident of Doke Talim area in Nana Peth, allegedly threatened to kill him and destroyed his fish stall. The accused allegedly threw away material valued at Rs 90,000 from the complainant’s fish stall, the police said.
Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme (Faraskhana Police Station) said the Andekar Gang allegedly extorted Rs 50,000 per month from the vendor since 2016 through gang member Akash Pardeshi (28), who routinely threatened to kill him and shut his business. The accused allegedly extorted Rs 48 lakh from the complainant till April 2025.
After receiving the complaint, police lodged an extortion case against Shivam and his five aides. Andekar and Pardeshi have been arrested. The matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken.
