Pune Gangland: Gang Rivalry Claims Life of History-Sheeter in Kondhwa, Tension Grips Area

By India Crime Correspondent

PUNE, May 17, 2011

Tensions escalated in Kondhwa as a bitter rivalry between two factions stemming from the former Feroz Bengali gang led to the alleged murder of a 29-year-old history-sheeter, Wasim Rafiq Shaikh, also known as Khada, in the Hanumannagar area around 10 pm on Sunday.

The incident not only resulted in the loss of life but also triggered chaos at a hospital where efforts to save him were in vain. A subsequent police investigation has led to the booking of ten individuals, including the son of Feroz Bengali, in connection with the case.

Factions of a Fractured Gang

Wasim Khada was associated with one of the factions that emerged within the Feroz Bengali gang following the demise of Feroz Bengali in 2009.

The ongoing rivalry between these factions took a violent turn on Sunday evening when members of one faction assaulted a 17-year-old named Akram Khan using a sharp weapon.

Retaliation Turns Fatal

In a retaliatory attack to avenge the assault on Akram Khan, a group of approximately ten individuals from the rival faction targeted Wasim Khada and others around 10 pm the same night.

The assailants intercepted Wasim’s vehicle and proceeded to assault him and his companions using sharp weapons. Despite being rushed to a private hospital in Kondhwa, Wasim Khada was declared dead upon arrival by the medical authorities.

The assault also left three others injured, according to a spokesperson from the Haveli police station.

Criminal Past and Unrest

Wasim Khada had accumulated three previous criminal charges against him over the course of three years.

Following his demise, the individuals accompanying him at the hospital reacted with anger, causing disturbances and breaking windows on the premises.

In response, the police deployed personnel near Wasim’s residence to prevent further disruptions.

The Suspects and Search Operation

As investigations progressed, the Haveli police identified and booked ten individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

The suspects include Anwar Shaikh, also known as Navva, Rafiq Shaikh, Faruq Anwar Shaikh, Irfan Chand Shaikh, Shahrukh Shaikh, Feroz Shaikh, Ismail Shaikh, Munaf Shaikh, Nadeem Shaikh, and Intequab Bengali, the son of Feroz Bengali.

While no arrests have been made thus far, Inspector A D Patil of the Haveli police station confirmed the initiation of a search operation.

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