In a dramatic turn of events on Saturday, incarcerated gangster Bandu, also known as Suryakant Andekar, made a high-security appearance at the Bhavani Peth ward office to file his nomination for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. However, his attempt, along with those of two family members, ended unsuccessfully as they failed to submit the requisite papers.
Court-Ordered Appearance Meets Procedural Hurdle
A special MCOCA court had granted permission for Andekar and his relatives to visit the ward office under police escort specifically to file their nomination papers. Adhering to the court's instructions, the Pune police provided heavy security for the move. Andekar, aged 70, arrived at the office around 12:30 PM, his head and face covered with a black cloth, and his hands tied with ropes. Despite his restraints, he gestured with a victory sign and shouted his slogan, "Neki ka kaam, Andekar ka naam."
Kalyan Pandhare, the returning officer at the Bhavani Peth ward office, clarified the situation. "We did not receive any nomination forms from them on Saturday," Pandhare stated. "So, the question of accepting the nominations does not arise. They did not have all the documents required for nomination."
Unprecedented Security Disrupts Civic Process
The police deployment for Andekar's visit was extensive and significantly disrupted normal activities at the ward office. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Krushikesh Rawale informed that a tight security cordon was maintained, restricting entry to the building. All three roads leading to the ward office were shut, and individuals arriving for personal work were subjected to frisking.
This security blanket caused inconvenience to other prospective candidates. Independent candidate Maulana Shahrukh Aziz Khan expressed his frustration, revealing he had arrived at 11 AM but was turned away by police and asked to return later. "Due to security issues, I was not let in. I demand more time to file the nomination papers," Khan said.
Family Members Also Part of the Failed Bid
Andekar was not alone in his electoral ambition. His daughter-in-law, Sonali, and sister-in-law, Laxmi Udaykant Andekar, also aimed to file nominations as Independent candidates from the Nana Peth-Bhawani Peth panel. Both women, currently imprisoned in Kolhapur jail, were brought to Pune for the purpose. With their faces covered, they reached the ward office by 11:30 AM but met the same fate as Andekar, unable to complete the submission process.
The entire group, including Andekar, his son Krushna, daughter Vrundavani Wadekar, her two sons, Sonali, Laxmi, and Laxmi's three sons, are under arrest in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Ayush Komkar, who was shot dead in his residential building's parking area on September 5.
The incident highlights the intersection of crime, legal procedures, and the electoral process, raising questions about security protocols during civic polls and the accessibility of the nomination process for all individuals, including those in judicial custody.
