Nashik Police Crack Down On Illegal Moneylenders, Local Politicians Under Scanner

Police have registered cases against more than eight people to free the city area from the clutches of private moneylenders. Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik has appealed to citizens to come forward to file complaints against illegal moneylenders.

After Vaibhav Deore, who is associated with the Nationalist Congress Party, it was revealed that former BJP office bearer Kundalwar, along with his father and brother, was involved in illegal private moneylending. While Deore and Kundalwar were grabbing the land, money, and property of the borrowers, they went so far as to harass women. Fed up with this harassment, some took extreme steps. After that, Nashik police have become alert.

Sandeep Karnik, Police Commissioner, said, “The Nashik police raided the houses and offices of 13 suspected moneylenders. Cases have been registered against eight of them in different police stations. Panchnamas were conducted at five places. The action was carried out by the local crime branch, divisional deputy commissioners of both circles, police station-wise officers, and employees.”

Raids on since Friday

From Friday evening, the police started raiding illegal private moneylenders in the city. This also includes people associated with some political parties. This action was taken by a team of Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Bachhav with the help of deputy registrars of cooperative societies.

Nayya Khaire's raid yielded 12 contracts, 19 cheques, and some cash, while Sanjay Shinde had blank cheques, purchase orders, account books, and a money-counting machine. Prakash Ahire had 23 register books, documents, and Rs 4.50 lakh in cash, while Sunil Pimple's two houses and three shops were searched. 11 purchase orders, two stock orders, one possession receipt, five blank tickets, 24 blank cheques, two handwritten receipts, and Rs 4.8 lakh in cash were found.

Gokul Dhada had 50 handwritten receipts, two purchase orders, and 70 blank cheques. Dhanu Lokhande had 50 purchase orders and 12 cheques, while Rajendra Jadhav had two diaries and Rs 2.35 lakh in cash. Kailas Maind had two blank cheques, one contract, and nine purchase orders.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Bachhav said that Nayya Khaire is a former corporator, and although nothing was found with Gurudev Kande, he is a relative of MLA Suhas Kande. He warned that some others are associated with political parties, and this action will continue.

The police searched the residences of Gurudev Kande, Zubair Pathan, Kailash Mudaliar, Sachin More, and Rohit Chandole, but no evidence was found that they were involved in illegal money lending. This action will continue, and the police have appealed to the citizens to come to the Police Commissionerate office to complain against illegal businesses.