Attempt to murder: Marne,6 aides acquitted

Additional Sessions judge V K Shewale acquitted gangster Gajanan Marne and his six accomplices in an attempt-to-murder case owing to lack of sufficient evidence and discrepancies in investigation. Gajanan alias Gajya Pandharinath Marne (46),Srikant alias Babya Sambhaji Pawar (23),Ganesh Namdeo Hundare (27),Bapu Srimant Bagal (24),Pradeep Dattatraya Kandhare (26),Sagar Kalyan Rajput (24) and Shashank Maruti Bodke (23),all residents of Kothrud were acquitted by the court. The prosecution examined 10 witnesses including the victims but except Shinde and Deshmukh everyone turned hostile.

According to the prosecution,on May 13,2009,businessman Sameer Madan Patil and his friends were going towards his residence near Vanaz company from Chandani Chowk when Marne and his gang members had allegedly opened fire and attacked him with swords near Bhusari Colony in Kothrud.

Patil,his friends Rajshekhar Birajdar,Ashok Patil and driver Navnath Deokar had escaped with minor injuries.

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Patil is engaged in the business of export of fruits and vegetables. Earlier,Patil’s car was allegedly damaged by the accused and since then there was a quarrel between them.

A case was registered by Patil at Kothrud police station under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly),147 (rioting),148 (rioting with deadly weapon),307 (attempt to murder),427 (causing damage to Rs 50) of IPC,the Indian Arms Act and the Bombay Police Act.

Defence lawyers N D Patil and Vijay Thombre also brought to the court’s notice that police failed to obtain sanction of the Commissioner of Police or deputy commissioner of police before filling the charge sheet under Arms Act.