Pune: Plot To Kill NCP MLA Sunil Shelke Foiled In Pimpri-Chinchwad, SIT To Probe Conspiracy
Pune: Plot To Kill NCP MLA Sunil Shelke Foiled In Pimpri-Chinchwad, SIT To Probe Conspiracy
Pune, July 5, 2025: The Pimpri-Chinchwad police have foiled a conspiracy to assassinate Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Sunil Shelke from the Maval constituency. The state government has now announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the plot thoroughly.
The murder plan came to light on July 26, 2023, after the anti-dacoity cell of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police conducted a major operation in Talegaon Dabhade based on a tip-off. Initially, two suspects were arrested, and further investigation led to the arrest of seven individuals in total.
Police recovered a cache of weapons from the accused, including nine pistols, 42 live cartridges, machetes, and other deadly arms. All the suspects have criminal records involving murder, attempted murder, extortion, arson, and illegal arms possession.
During interrogation, the accused confessed that the weapons were meant to be used in the planned killing of MLA Shelke. Investigators revealed that the suspects, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Jalna, Vadgaon, and Kalewadi, had no personal enmity with Shelke, suggesting the involvement of a powerful mastermind behind the plot.
“These men come from poor backgrounds but had access to expensive weapons and high-profile legal representation. Who is financing them? Who is the real mastermind?” questioned Shelke during a calling attention motion in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday.
In response, Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam assured the House that the government is treating the matter seriously. He confirmed that the accused had previously been jailed for a year-and-a-half and were later externed from Pune district for two years. Despite this, they were found hiding in the district, highlighting a major lapse in enforcement.
Kadam informed the assembly that details about a Madhya Pradesh-based arms supplier, identified as ‘Devaraj,’ have been shared with the respective state government. He further assured that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be set up to probe the larger conspiracy and bring the masterminds to justice.
