In a swift operation that has brought relief to terrified shopkeepers in Pune’s Mundhwa area, police have arrested the prime suspect along with three accomplices in a shocking vandalism spree. The incident unfolded late on January 31, 2026, around 9:50 PM on BT Kawde Road in Ghorpadi, where three motorcycle-borne men armed with iron rods and machetes unleashed chaos on local businesses.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of pure pandemonium as the attackers smashed shop shutters, shattered glass panes, and damaged merchandise across at least six establishments. Vehicles parked nearby also fell victim to their fury, leaving traders in a state of fear. The viral CCTV footage of the brazen assault prompted immediate police action, leading to the filing of a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Maharashtra Police Act, and Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Leading the gang is 20-year-old Rajratan Kuldip Khare, a resident of SRA Building in Bhimnagar, Mundhwa. His three juvenile associates, embroiled in legal conflicts, were also apprehended. Investigators suspect ties to the notorious ‘Machete Gang,’ which has been plaguing Pune neighborhoods with similar acts of terror in recent months.
Under the guidance of senior officers including Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil and Assistant Commissioner Atulkumar Nawgire, the Mundhwa police team executed the arrests flawlessly. Senior Inspector Smita Wasnik oversaw the operation, with key contributions from Assistant Inspector Ganesh Pinguwale and others.
Pune Police have vowed zero tolerance for such hooliganism, ramping up CCTV surveillance and patrolling to curb nighttime disturbances. Local businesses, still reeling from the shock, welcome the crackdown but urge sustained vigilance to restore safety in their bustling community.