Jailed Women, Linked to Gangster, Win Pune Civic Polls Amid Murder Case

• Sonali Vanraj Andekar (35) and Lakshmi Udaykant Andekar (60), both NCP candidates, won Pune civic polls from Ward Number 23 despite being in Yerwada Central Jail.
• Both women are imprisoned in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Ayush Komkar, grandson of gangster Suryakant ‘Bandu’ Andekar.
• Sonali Andekar is the widow of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar, whose murder in 2024 is believed to be linked to the Komkar killing.
• The victories have drawn criticism towards the NCP and Ajit Pawar for supporting candidates facing serious criminal charges.
• The Andekar family thanked voters and promised continued work for residents, while bail applications for the jailed women have been rejected.

Why It Matters: Two women jailed for murder, linked to a gangster family, won Pune civic polls, sparking controversy.