Surat crime branch moves to interrogate underworld operative Pandey in connection with diamond businessman’s killing
The Surat Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) is set to seek custody of Prakash Chand Pandey, alias Bunty Pandey, for his alleged involvement in the 2004 kidnapping and murder of NRI diamond businessman Rajesh Bhatte. Currently, Pandey is in the custody of the Valsad unit of Gujarat CID (Crime) for his role in another 2004 abduction and murder case involving Abuzar Kadri, the son of a Vapi-based businessman, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Pandey’s Criminal Trail
Pandey, a notorious underworld figure, was once a member of the Chhota Rajan gang and has a history of 40 criminal cases including kidnapping, murder, and extortion. He was serving a 14-year sentence in Almora Jail before being transferred to Gujarat.
The Valsad CID took custody of him on March 23 for the Kadri kidnapping and murder case, where a ₹5 crore ransom was demanded before Kadri’s body was found in Maharashtra
The 2004 Murder of Rajesh Bhatte
Victim: Rajesh Bhatte, an NRI diamond businessman, had been settled in the US for 25 years but frequently visited Surat to buy diamonds and jewellery.
Kidnapping: On March 22, 2004, five men kidnapped Bhatte from his hotel in Mahidharpura and demanded ransom from his wife in the US.
Complaint: His brother, Dilip Bhatte, filed a missing complaint on March 23, after which the investigation was transferred to the Surat crime branch.
Body Found: On the same day, Bhatte’s body was discovered in Chaklasi town, Kheda district.
DCB’s Next Move
Surat Crime Branch has formally sought Pandey’s custody for interrogation in the Bhatte case. He has already undergone a voice spectrography test in Gandhinagar. Authorities are probing his involvement in multiple high-profile crimes, including his alleged travel to Pakistan to target Dawood Ibrahim.
Pandey’s Controversial Jail Activities
While in prison, Pandey was initiated into the Nath Sampraday and Juna Akhada, a move that stirred controversy due to his criminal background.
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