Kolhapur: Sangli guardian minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday announced that all five accused in the murder of 14-year-old Vedant Bandgar will face stringent action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), with the probe now under the supervision of the additional superintendent of police.
“The police machinery has been instructed to bring every guilty person in this case before the law, and we are committed to securing justice for the victim’s family. The police have expedited the investigation. The main accused in this crime, Nilesh Gadade, and his associate, Atul Vaydande, have been arrested. The court has remanded them in police custody until June 18. Work to trace the other three accused named in the FIR is underway. Proceedings are on to invoke provisions of the MCOCA,” Patil said.
“The investigation has been assigned to the local crime branch. It is being conducted under the direct supervision of the additional SP. The preliminary inquiry report of the police inspector concerned has been submitted to the deputy inspector general of police, Kolhapur range. The inspector has been transferred to the control room,” added Patil.
Vedant, son of APMC director Maruti Bandgar, was killed on June 12 by a five-member gang. The police said the attackers had allegedly gone to target his father and grandfather, but attacked the minor when they were not at home.
Gadade, was reportedly enraged over a complaint Vedant’s grandfather, Balasaheb Bandgar, had filed against him on June 10 for allegedly threatening and demanding extortion from Laxman Kharat, a close associate of the Bandgar family.
On Monday night, residents of Sangli had held candle march seeking justice for Vedant and curbing crime in the city and district.
