Gaja Marne’s Highway Mutton Party Leads To Suspension Of Pune Police Officials; Three Notorious Criminals Found At Dhaba

Pune/Sangli — In a shocking lapse of duty, several Pune police personnel have been suspended after they allowed a mutton party at a roadside dhaba for gangster Gaja Marne while transporting him from Yerwada Jail to Sangli Jail. The event, which was caught on CCTV, has led to disciplinary action and raised serious questions about protocol violations during prisoner transfers.

Gaja Marne, a notorious Pune-based gangster currently facing charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), had expressed reluctance to remain in Yerwada Jail, reportedly due to the presence of local criminals he deemed beneath him. Acting on his request, Pune Police had transferred him to Sangli Jail, but the move soon spiraled into controversy.

While en route to Sangli under tight police escort, Marne and his associates were taken to a well-known highway dhaba in Satara district, where they were served a special mutton meal. Not only did Marne dine freely, but three other individuals — all with criminal records — joined him at the location.

Police Commissioner Takes Stern Action

Upon learning of the incident through CCTV footage, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar ordered an immediate investigation. The result: suspension of an Assistant Inspector and four constables who were part of the escort team.

Commissioner Kumar has also directed a full review of procedures related to prisoner transfers, especially for those booked under serious offenses such as MCOCA.

Notorious Shooters Present at the Scene

Among those who met Marne at the dhaba were individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including:

• Satish Shilimkar
• Vishal Dhumal (accused in a murder case)
• Balkrishna alias Pandya Mohite (known shooter for Marne’s gang in Sangli)

These men reportedly travelled in four private vehicles — including two Fortuners and a Thar — that followed the police convoy. Their presence at the dhaba has prompted further legal action, and cases have now been registered against them as well. Police have also seized the vehicles used.

CCTV Footage Exposes Entire Incident

Sources reveal that Marne’s supporters met him at the dhaba while the police officers were eating. Marne was served a mutton plate and had a meeting with his gang members — all of which was recorded on security cameras. Upon reviewing the footage, Commissioner Kumar ordered the immediate suspension of the officers involved and initiated departmental inquiries.

Background on Gaja Marne and the Ongoing Probe

Marne is currently facing charges in a Kothrud assault case, alongside other serious offenses. Though he was briefly lodged in Sangli Jail, he has since been returned to Yerwada Jail under closer watch.

As the investigation continues, Pune Police’s Crime Branch is now tracking the gang members who met Marne during the unauthorised roadside stop, and further arrests are likely.