History-sheeter fires shots in Nagpur's Jattarodi locality, case registered four days later

Nagpur: Firing incidents continue unabated in the Chief Minister's city. In Jattarodi locality under Imamwada police station limits, Sitabuldi's notorious criminal Mrinal Gajbhiye and his associates opened fire, creating panic. Even after the incident came to light, Imamwada police and their senior officers stayed silent. Imamwada police acted only after the crime branch took suspects into custody, and the truth then emerged. This is the third firing incident in just a month.

The firing took place on the night of October 4. According to sources, 20-year-old Amey Amritlal Dhurve was sitting and talking near the Shitla Mata temple with his friends Himanshu Rai, Sanjit Diman, Kunal Kamble, Akash Yadav and Ayush Khandate. Mrinal Gajbhiye, an acquaintance of Dhurve, then arrived there in a black car with his associate Takku. The two abused Amey and his friend Himanshu and asked why they were sitting there. When they objected, Mrinal allegedly began threatening them, calling himself "the bhai of Nagpur". He then took a gun out of his car and began firing while waving it in the air. Mrinal is said to have fired two to three rounds. The sound of the gunshots sent the locality into turmoil. On seeing the gun, Amey, his friends and other people ran away. After the firing, Mrinal and Takku also fled in the car. Amey and his friends were frightened by the incident and did not inform the police. But shortly afterwards, Imamwada police got wind of the firing.

According to sources, Imamwada police kept quiet as no formal complaint had been received, hoping the truth about the firing would stay buried. Meanwhile, the crime branch learnt of the incident. On suspicion, it took some youths of Jattarodi into custody. They told the crime branch what had happened. On learning that the crime branch had swung into action, Imamwada police and officers of Zone 4 were thrown into a panic. Hurriedly, Imamwada police registered a firing case on October 8. Gajbhiye, the mastermind of the firing, lives in Anand Nagar, Sitabuldi. Several cases, including firing, attempt to murder and assault, are registered against him. Action under MCOCA and MPDA has also been taken against him. Despite being a notorious criminal, he was moving around the city with a gun. Neither the local police nor the crime branch had come to know of this.

All measures proving ineffective

An exchange scheme has been introduced to keep a check on criminals. Under it, criminals are presented before senior officers. Mrinal Gajbhiye was moving around fearlessly with a gun. This shows that all the steps being taken by the city police, including the exchange scheme, to keep watch on criminals are proving ineffective.