Published on: September 6, 2025 at 01:34
On Ganesh Visarjan eve, Ayush alias Govind Komkar, son of an accused in former corporator Vanraj Andekar’s murder, was shot dead in Nana Peth. Police suspect gang-related revenge killing linked to last year’s brutal Andekar murder.
A Festival Turns Fatal: Ayush Komkar Shot Dead in Cold Blood
Pune’s festive atmosphere turned grim on September 5, 2025, when 20-year-old Ayush Komkar — also known as Govind Komkar — was gunned down in Nana Peth just a day before Ganesh Visarjan. According to police reports, Ayush was returning home from tuition around 7:30–7:45 pm when two bike-borne assailants opened fire, hitting him multiple times. Despite immediate efforts to rush him to a nearby hospital, he died on the spot.
The attack sent shockwaves across the city, particularly because of its timing during Ganeshotsav, a festival that symbolizes unity and peace. The murder has reignited fears of a resurgence in gang violence that Pune had seen in the past year.
A Bloody History: From Vanraj Andekar’s Murder to Ayush’s Killing
Police believe Ayush’s murder is not an isolated crime but part of a long-running feud. Exactly one year earlier, on September 1, 2024, former corporator Vanraj Andekar was brutally murdered in Pune. The killing was no ordinary crime — investigators discovered it was a meticulously planned act of retribution.
According to the 1,700-page chargesheet filed under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), the murder involved a shocking conspiracy: Andekar’s own sisters, their husbands, and members of rival gangster Somnath Gaikwad’s gang allegedly plotted his assassination.
The attackers reportedly used firearms and long-bladed sickles to kill Andekar and even cut off electricity to plunge the area into darkness before striking — a chillingly cinematic move that left residents terrified.
Ganesh Komkar — Ayush’s father — was named as one of the accused in that case. With the Andekar murder trial still ongoing, police suspect that Ayush’s killing could be an act of revenge carried out by remnants of the Andekar gang or their sympathizers to avenge last year’s murder of their leader.
What Happens Next: Police Crackdown and Public Safety Concerns
Following Ayush’s killing, Pune Police launched a massive manhunt, deploying multiple crime branch units to track down the shooters. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage, witness statements, and phone call records to determine whether this was a targeted revenge hit or part of a larger gang war escalation.
Authorities are under pressure to maintain peace during the remaining Ganeshotsav celebrations. Community leaders have called for restraint and appealed to the public not to spread rumors.
This case highlights a disturbing pattern — gang rivalries spilling over into public spaces during major cultural festivals, putting innocent lives at risk. The police are expected to tighten security in sensitive areas, particularly during Visarjan processions, to prevent further bloodshed.
Why This Case Matters
This isn’t just another crime story — it is a stark reminder of how unresolved gang rivalries can claim new lives, even years later. The Komkar–Andekar–Gaikwad feud is now a cycle of revenge killings, and unless swiftly addressed through strict law enforcement and speedy trials, Pune risks sliding back into an era of gang dominance.
For residents, the murder is a wake-up call about the need for better street surveillance, community policing, and early intervention when gang tensions rise.
As someone who has walked through Nana Peth’s narrow lanes during Ganeshotsav, it is heartbreaking to see joy replaced with fear. Festivals are meant to unite us, not become a backdrop for revenge killings. Ayush Komkar’s murder is not just a police case — it is a reminder that unresolved grudges can haunt entire communities.
We owe it to Pune to demand better safety, quicker justice, and stronger efforts to break this cycle of gang rivalries. For the sake of every young person celebrating the next Ganesh festival, the city must choose peace over vendetta.