Crime Branch Nabs Three, Including Suspended Doctor, Near Bibwewadi Hotel
Pune: A 27-year-old MBBS doctor, previously associated with a reputed hospital in the city, has been arrested for the second time in a drug smuggling case. Acting on a tip-off, Pune Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell apprehended him and two accomplices with 56 grams of Mephedrone (MD) worth ₹15 lakh on July 16 near Hotel Nimantran in Bibwewadi.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Mohammad (27) – MBBS doctor, originally from Jammu and currently residing in Undri
- Samuel Balasaheb Pratap (28)
- Aniket Vitthal Kudle (27)
Raid Details:
Police officials revealed that the trio had arrived in a car and were waiting near the hotel to sell the banned substance. Upon raiding the car, officers recovered:
- MD worth ₹5 lakh from Mohammad
- MD worth ₹6.38 lakh from Samuel
- MD worth ₹3.25 lakh from Kudle
In addition to the drugs, a car and mobile phones used in the smuggling operation were seized.
Repeat Offender:
Mohammad, the doctor, was earlier arrested two years ago for a similar offence. Following his first arrest, he was suspended from his job at a central Pune hospital. However, officials say he continued his involvement in illegal drug trade.
A senior police officer stated, “Despite suspension after his first arrest, he continued dealing in drugs. This is his second arrest. He, along with Kudle, had also been booked in a previous drug case in Bundgarden.”
Operation Led By:
- Addl. Commissioner of Police (Crime): Pankaj Deshmukh
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime): Nikhil Pingle
- Assistant Commissioner: Rajendra Mulik
- Senior Inspector: Prashant Annachhatre
- Assistant Inspector: Anil Suravase
- Sub-Inspectors: Digambar Kokate and Sandeep Shirke
Authorities are continuing their investigation to trace further links and customers involved in the distribution of the banned substance.
