Wardha: History-sheeter Vikas Pande detained under MPDA Act, lodged in Nashik Road jail

Police and the administration in Wardha have stepped up action against people with a history of goondaism. Vikas Suraj Pande, 31, a resident of the Itwara Bazaar area under Wardha (City) police station limits, has been detained under the MPDA Act. District Magistrate Vanmathi C. issued the detention order against him on 16.10.2025, after which he has been lodged in Nashik Road Central Jail.

According to police, Pande is described as a notorious goon of the area. Wardha (City) police station records show a total of eight cases against him since 2020, under offences against the body and the Arms Act. These include carrying a deadly weapon, abusing and threatening to kill with a weapon and causing hurt, entering a house with associates and demanding extortion money, and causing grievous hurt while hurling obscene abuse. There are also cases of waylaying and assaulting, causing hurt and causing damage.

There is also a case of attempt to murder with a weapon as part of an unlawful assembly. In this case, sections under MCOCA have been added and a chargesheet has been filed in court. The other cases include entering a house as part of an unlawful assembly and causing hurt, stone-pelting with weapons and causing damage, abuse and threats to kill, spreading terror in the area and disturbing public peace. Police say he is a habitual offender. All eight cases are pending in court.

Police say that for the past six years he had created a strong sense of fear among people in the area. Because of this fear, many victims did not dare to file complaints against him at the police station. This disturbed peace and law and order in the area and affected normal life. Preventive action had earlier been taken against him under Section 129(E) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, but it was found that he did not abide by that action either.

The station house officer of Wardha (City) then sent a proposal for his detention under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Dangerous Persons, Sand Smugglers and Black-marketeers of Essential Commodities Act, 1981 (amended 2015), through Superintendent of Police Saurabh Kumar Agrawal to District Magistrate Vanmathi C. Taking his continuing offences seriously, the district magistrate issued the order.

In the past year, coordination between police and the revenue department has led to a string of actions under the MPDA Act. Illicit liquor sellers, suppliers of liquor for sale, people with a goonda background who are dangerous to society, and the sand mafia are afraid. Among offenders there is talk about who will be next.

To ensure that the coming festivals pass peacefully, District Magistrate Vanmathi C. and Superintendent of Police Saurabh Kumar Agrawal have again signalled continued strict action under the MPDA. In 2025, a total of 18 liquor sellers, goonda-type offenders and sand mafia members were jailed under this law. In 2026 so far, action has been taken against 11 goonda-type offenders and others dangerous to society.

The action was taken under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Saurabh Kumar Agrawal, Additional Superintendent of Police Sadashiv Waghmare, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sunil Mahadik and Local Crime Branch Inspector Vinod Chaudhari. It was carried out by Local Crime Branch police constables Amol Atram and Ashish Maheshgauri, and by Wardha (City) police station Inspector Nageshkumar Chatarkar, Sub-Inspector Sharad Gaikwad, woman head constable Vaishali Karmankar and woman constable Karishma Parchake.