Surat: Surat City police have invoked the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GUJCTOC) Act against eight alleged members of an organised gang led by Bhushan Patil, following the murder of Pravinsinh Shirsath alias Amba in the Dindoli area.Shirsath was killed on July 30 this year, following a dispute with Patil. Dindoli police subsequently arrested six persons, including a juvenile. During the investigation, police found evidence indicating that the accused were associated with an organised group operating as the ‘Bhushan Gang‘.Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) N P Gohil said the dispute between Shirsath and Patil preceded the attack. According to police, Patil returned with associates armed with knives and the group members attacked Shirsath, inflicting multiple injuries that proved fatal.“We arrested six persons after the murder and all of them are currently in jail. We approached the court seeking permission to invoke the GUJCTOC Act against the gang. The court granted permission to add GUJCTOC sections to the case,” ACP Gohil said.The eight persons against whom GUJCTOC proceedings have been initiated are Bhushan Patil alias Bablu, Pritesh Patil, Vidhiprakash Mishra, Kishan Rajbhar, Arun Prajapati, Gopal Rajput, Pavan Thakure and a 17-year-11-month-old juvenile in conflict with the law.Police alleged that members of the group had previously been involved in serious offences, including attacks, murder, attempted murder, robbery and causing grievous injuries. Investigators further claimed that the gang’s activities had created fear among local residents, with some people hesitant to approach the police.After compiling details of the criminal activities and obtaining approval from the police commissioner, investigators sought the addition of Sections 3(1), 3(2) and 3(4) of the GUJCTOC Act to the original FIR. A court granted permission for the addition of the provisions on Wednesday.Following the court’s approval, police arrested the two alleged gang members who had not yet been apprehended — Gopal Rajput and Pavan Thakure — on Wednesday itself, based on evidence gathered during the investigation.ACP Gohil said Patil, who police have identified as the gang leader, has seven previous criminal cases registered against him, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, robbery, rioting, assault and offences under the Arms Act and Gujarat Police Act.“Patil also has four previous preventive detention and externment orders against him,” ACP Gohil added.
