Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 21st May 2026: In a major crackdown, the Anti-Gunda Squad of the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Crime Branch has arrested three members of the notorious Bishnoi Gang from Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The arrests are in connection with a recent firing incident targeting a furniture shop owner in Punawale over an extortion demand of тВ╣2 Crore.
The Incident
According to the police, the sequence of events began on May 7, 2026, when Ashok Kumar Bishnoi, a partner in A.J. Furniture Mall, received a WhatsApp call from an international number (+1 912 310-3107). The caller demanded тВ╣2 Crore as extortion money and threatened him with dire consequences if the amount was not paid. However, Ashok Kumar Bishnoi refused to entertain the threat and did not pay the ransom.
In retaliation, on the night of May 15, 2026, at around 9:00 PM, two unidentified men arrived on a motorcycle at A.J. Furniture Mall, located near Samadhan Hotel on the Tathawade-Ravet BRT Road. Targeting Ashok KumarтАЩs partner, Jagdish Bheraram Bishnoi, who was sitting outside the mall, the assailants fired 5 to 6 rounds from a pistol in an attempt to kill him.
Following the brazen attack, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Ravet Police Station (Crime No. 167/2026) under sections 109, 308(3), 308(5), 308(7), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, sections 3(25) and 3(27) of the Indian Arms Act, section 37(1)(3) read with 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, and sections 3 and 5 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act.
The Investigation and Arrests
Recognizing the gravity of the crime, the Commissioner of Police Vinoy Kumar Choubey ordered a parallel investigation by the Crime Branch. Seven dedicated teams were formed, and two of them were dispatched out of the state.
The investigation team meticulously examined footage from 350 to 400 CCTV cameras to trace the movement of the suspects and potential lodges they might have stayed in. Relying on the technical analysis of mobile networks and tip-offs from confidential informants, the police tracked the accused to Rohtak, Haryana. The team camped in Rohtak for four consecutive days. After receiving concrete intelligence that the suspects had relocated to Haridwar, Uttarakhand, the squad rushed there and successfully nabbed the three accused.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Parveen Ramniwas (22), resident of Beri, Jhajjar, Haryana.
Pankaj Kuldeep (21), resident of Kalanaur, Rohtak, Haryana.
Sagar Ajaypal (21), resident of Bhaiswal Kalan Mithan, Sonipat, Haryana.
During interrogation, the trio confessed to their involvement in the crime. They were presented before a First Class Judicial Magistrate, who remanded them to police custody for eight days until May 28, 2026.
Link to the Sidhu Moose Wala Murder Case
Preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested accused acted on the instructions and conspiracy of Bishnoi Gang key members Aarju Bishnoi, Shubham Lonkar, and Kuldeep alias Kashish. Notably, Kuldeep alias Kashish is also a prime accused in the high-profile murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
Police disclosed that Aarju Bishnoi provided the shooters with two pistols, live cartridges, money, and vehicles through his local operatives.
Recently, the Bishnoi Gang had also attempted to extort the owner of Veer Furniture within the Dighi Police Station limits via a phone call. Furthermore, another extortion case involving the Bishnoi Gang is already registered at the Sant Tukaram Nagar Police Station. The police are now investigating whether the newly arrested accused are involved in these related incidents. All individuals found harboring the accused or facilitating the conspiracy will face strict legal action.
Police Officers and Personnel Involved
This successful inter-state operation was carried out under the expert guidance and supervision of senior officials, including:
Vinoy Kumar Choubey, Commissioner of Police
Shashikant Mahavarkar, Joint Commissioner of Police
Sarang Awad, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime)
Basavaraj Teli, Additional Commissioner of Police (Regional Division)
Shivaji Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime)
Ganesh Ingle, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2)
Dr. Vishal Hire, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime-1)
Pravin More, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime-2)
Sunil Kurhade, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Wakad Division)
The ground operation, technical tracking, and thorough investigation were successfully executed by:
Police Inspector Sandeep Sawant (Unit 2)
Police Inspector Nitin Phatangare (Ravet Police Station)
Police Inspector Vikas Raut (TEW)
Assistant Police Inspector Harish (H.V.) Mane (Anti-Extortion Squad)
Police Sub-Inspector Sameer Londe (Anti-Extortion Squad)
Police Sub-Inspector Mayuresh Salunkhe (Unit 2)
Along with the dedicated personnel and personnel from the Anti-Extortion Squad, Unit 2, Ravet Police Station, and the TAW team.
The post Pune: Sidhu Moose Wala Murder Case Link Emerges in Punawale Bishnoi Gang Firing, 3 Arrested appeared first on Punekar News.
