Pune: A special MCOCA court has allowed gangster Suryakant alias Bandu Andekar, his daughter-in-law, Sonali Vanraj Andekar, and his sister-in-law, Laxmi Udaykant Andekar, all arrested in the Sept 5 murder of his grandson, Ayush Komkar (18), to file their nomination papers on Saturday with police escort for the upcoming PMC elections.Special judge SR Salunkhe noted that an earlier order it passed had clarified that there was no prohibition against the accused from contesting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections in accordance with prescribed rules, and that any request for a police escort would be decided on its merits. Pursuant to that order, the accused moved a fresh application specifically seeking an escort for the submission of nomination papers.
The prosecution had submitted that the court might pass necessary orders in the matter. Andekars’ lawyer, Mithun Chavan, had submitted that the election programme was already declared and the last date for submission of nomination papers was Dec 30. He submitted that, as per instructions from the political party to which the accused belonged, its members intended to submit nomination papers on Dec 27, and therefore, sought a police escort on that date. It was also submitted that the accused were ready to deposit the necessary escort charges. The court directed that there should not be any processions, slogans, public speeches or rallies while filing the nomination.The gangster was produced before the court in an extortion and land-grab case. His police custody was extended till Dec 29.
