Baramati businessman Rana Suryawanshi staged attack on himself for VIP security, say police

The attack on Baramati businessman Rana Suryawanshi had caused a stir across the town and Pune district. A startling detail has now emerged. Pune Rural Police have said that Suryawanshi plotted a life-threatening attack on himself because he wanted high-profile security, with escort vehicles, like ministers and VIPs.

Pune Rural Police arrested a third accused on Friday in the alleged attack at Gojubavi in Baramati taluka. The full plot came to light after the accused were questioned closely. The action by Baramati police is now being talked about widely.

On how the attack happened: Suryawanshi, owner of Rana Shipping, was attacked at 7.30 pm on October 18 in Gojubavi shivar, near Baramati airport. He had come to Baramati on personal work and his private bodyguard was with him. Two men on a scooter said "we are your fans" and tried to hand him a bouquet. They then struck him on the right hand with a weapon. He was injured and admitted to a private hospital in Baramati.

According to the police inquiry, Suryawanshi had earlier taken paid police protection. But he did not want only police cover. He wanted VIP-level police security, with a convoy of vehicles and escort vehicles like ministers. Under government rules, the level of threat to the person is assessed before such security is given. To show that his life was in danger, he plotted the attack on himself, the police inquiry found.

A case was registered at Baramati police station on the complaint of Laxmikant Mahadev Suryawanshi, 42, a resident of Sansar in Indapur taluka. Laxmikant is Suryawanshi's driver.

Police had earlier arrested Parth Avthade and Swapnil Kamble. A minor boy has also been detained. All eyes are now on what action police take against Suryawanshi in this staged-attack case.