Wrestler-Turned-Criminal Sagar Moholkar Succumbs to Bullet Injuries in Pune Hospital
Sagar Moholkar (32), a former wrestler with a notorious criminal record, passed away on Monday evening while undergoing treatment at Pune's Sassoon General Hospital. The Jamkhed police confirmed that Moholkar succumbed to the four bullet injuries he sustained during a targeted shooting incident on March 4.
Details of the Fatal Shooting Incident
On March 4, two masked assailants on a motorcycle fired seven rounds at Moholkar in Noorani Colony, Jamkhed. Four bullets struck him in critical areas including his neck, chest, stomach, and back, while the remaining three shots missed their target. The victim was initially rushed to a hospital in Ahilyanagar before being transferred to Sassoon General Hospital for advanced medical care.
Inspector Dashrath Chaudhary of Jamkhed police station stated, "He died at 7:30 pm on Monday while undergoing treatment." The police have now officially converted the initial attempted murder First Information Report (FIR) into a full murder case following Moholkar's death.
Criminal Background and Gang Rivalry
Moholkar, a resident of Jamwadi in Jamkhed, had accumulated five criminal cases against him, including two separate murder charges. He had been released from prison on bail in January of this year. The former wrestler gained significant media attention when he publicly assaulted Pune gangster Nilesh Ghaywal at a wrestling event in Andarud village, Dharashiv district, on April 11, 2025.
According to police investigations, the fatal attack on Moholkar was orchestrated at the behest of Ghaywal, who has now been named as one of the primary accused in the murder case. The Dharashiv police had previously registered a case against Moholkar following the public altercation with Ghaywal.
Police Investigation and Suspects
The Jamkhed police have made significant progress in the investigation:
- Abhimanyu Pote (24) was arrested on March 9 in connection with the shooting
- Rohit Akhade from Pune's Kothrud area has also been taken into custody
- Three additional suspects remain at large along with prime accused Nilesh Ghaywal
Police sources indicate that Ghaywal, a notorious criminal from Kothrud, has reportedly fled to the United Kingdom to evade arrest. The investigation continues as authorities work to apprehend all remaining suspects and establish the complete chain of events leading to Moholkar's murder.
The case highlights the ongoing gang violence in the region and the dangerous intersection of sports backgrounds with criminal activities. Local authorities have intensified their efforts to curb such incidents and bring all perpetrators to justice.
