Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
He was not at the crime scene. But his phone told a different story. Rahul Chabukswar, a Shinde Sena office-bearer, has been arrested in the Hanumannagar firing case. Call records placed him in repeated contact with the accused before the shots were fired and after. That pattern cost him his freedom. The court remanded him to three days' police custody.
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The night Hanumannagar chowk erupted
On April 14, notorious criminal Pawan Divekar and his cousin Kunal Salve (26) clashed with Nilesh alias Surya Ranjane (30) of Garkheda. Within two days, both groups returned with weapons. Shots were fired at Hanumannagar Chowk, triggering a sweeping police crackdown. Cases were registered against Nilesh Ranjane, Aditya Dabhade, Akash Salunkhe, Amol Salunkhe, Omkar Giri and two others; and on Ranjane’s complaint, against Divekar, Kunal Salve, Rohan Divekar, Siddharth Chabukswar and Satish Hivarale.
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Eight down. and now, a ninth.
Arrested so far Pawan Divekar, Kunal Salve, Mahesh Salve (30), Rohan Divekar (24), Satish Hivarale (23), Siddharth Chabukswar (21), Nilesh Ranjane, and Akash Salunkhe. But investigators were not done.
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The man behind the calls
Chabukswar is related to Amol Salunkhe, Akash Salunkhe, and Siddharth Chabukswar all named in the case. Technical analysis revealed repeated calls to the accused before and after the firing. He allegedly visited Pundliknagar police station post-incident and threatened Divekar's group. PSI Vinod Bhalerao confirmed his role and made the arrest.
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A past that speaks volumes
Serious offences are registered against him at MIDC Cidco, Mukundwadi, and Jawaharnagar police stations. Externed in 2018 and yet, a photograph of him with the chief minister went viral during that very period. On January 1 this year, he left BJP and joined Shinde Sena.
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The question nobody is answering
A party functionary. A criminal record. A photograph with the chief minister taken during externment. And phone calls allegedly coordinating a firing. How does a man with this history find shelter in mainstream politics repeatedly?