Kolhapur: The Kolhapur local crime branch (LCB) and Pimpri Chinchwad police arrested two wanted members of the notorious Bishnoi 007 gang from the Kolhapur district court premises in a high-stakes joint operation on Friday.
Police identified the accused as Shamlal Govardhan Punia (29), alias Bishnoi, the gang’s leader wanted by Rajasthan police, and Shriram Manju (29), alias Pacharam Bishnoi, who was wanted by Pimpri Chinchwad police. Punia is facing 17 serious criminal cases across multiple states, including charges of murder, attempt to murder and dacoity. Punia is notorious for a 2020 incident at Kini Toll Naka in Kolhapur, where he allegedly opened fire on police personnel, according to police. Between 11.50am and 12.30pm, the accused were spotted emerging from the court parking area.
The operation was launched after Rajasthan police and Pimpri Chinchwad police alerted Kolhapur superintendent of police Neelotpal that the duo would be arriving at the district court for legal proceedings. He was later injured in retaliatory firing and arrested by LCB. Acting on the intelligence, LCB coordinated with senior inspector Rajendra Patil, API Srinivas Kamuni, and Pimpri Chinchwad anti-extortion cell to lay a discreet trap. Sensing police presence, they attempted a desperate escape in a white SUV towards the main gate. Officers, however, positioned at the entrance swiftly shut the gate, forcing the vehicle to reverse into the parking area. A team led by LCB inspector Sushant Chavan quickly surrounded the SUV and overpowered the suspects, bringing the operation to a successful conclusion without incident. Following the arrest, Manju was handed over to Pimpri Chinchwad police, while Punia remained in Kolhapur police custody and would be transferred to Rajasthan police upon the arrival of a special team.