An accused in the 2012 Pune Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road serial bomb blasts case — identified as Aslam Shabbir Shaikh, popularly known as Bunty Jahagirdar — was shot dead in broad daylight in Shrirampur town in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district on December 31, 2025.
The killing unfolded around 2 pm when Jahagirdar was returning from a burial ground on a two-wheeler along with another person. Two motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted them on Borawake College Road and opened fire at close range. Jahagirdar was hit multiple times and later died in hospital despite being rushed there for treatment.
Who Was Bunty Jahagirdar?
Jahagirdar, in his early 50s, had long been linked to multiple criminal cases in Maharashtra. He was among those accused in the 2012 serial bomb blasts on Pune’s JM Road — a series of coordinated low-intensity explosions that rattled the busy arterial road on August 1, 2012.
Several devices detonated near prominent locations including Balgandharva Theatre, a Dena Bank branch, McDonald’s and Garware Bridge, injuring at least one person and triggering a major terror investigation.
At the time, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) alleged that Jahagirdar had supplied weapons and ammunition to other suspects involved in the blast conspiracy. He was arrested by the ATS in January 2013 and faced charges under terrorism and related laws.
He was granted bail in January 2023, and at the time of his death, he was living in Shrirampur and facing multiple other criminal cases registered against him in the district.
The Murder and Arrest of Suspects
Shrirampur police, acting swiftly after the attack, identified and arrested two suspects within hours of the murder. The men — 23-year-old Ravindra (Krishna) Nikalje and 23-year-old Ravi (Krushna) Shingare — were traced through CCTV footage and apprehended during a late-night nakabandi (police checkpoint operation).
Police confirmed that both suspects confessed during preliminary questioning. They have been detained and are being questioned further as investigators probe the motive behind the killing and whether they were acting on behalf of others.
Senior officers, including the Nashik range inspector general of police, visited Shrirampur to review the investigation and have formed multiple teams to examine all angles of the case, including possible rivalry or political motives.
Context: Political and Criminal Angles Under Probe
Local authorities are exploring various possible motives for the attack. Although no official motive has been announced, sources said police are examining whether the killing was linked to ongoing rivalries or disputes in the area. In some reports, Jahagirdar was said to have influence in local political circles, and police are considering whether factional tensions played a role in the shooting.
Security has been tightened in Shrirampur and neighbouring areas as a precautionary measure, and police have urged residents not to spread rumours or unverified content on social media.
Aftermath and Local Reaction
The murder, occurring in front of residents and commuters in broad daylight, caused alarm in the town, prompting deployment of additional police units to maintain law and order. Despite the high-profile nature of the accused, local leaders and citizens expressed shock at the violence.
Jahagirdar’s death has renewed scrutiny of how accused individuals out on bail are monitored, especially in high-profile criminal cases, and has reignited debate about law enforcement and public safety in regions with complex criminal and political dynamics.
Legacy of the 2012 Blasts Case
The 2012 Pune serial blasts drew national attention at the time due to the coordinated nature of the explosions and the busy urban setting. Police investigations over the years linked several suspects to the incident, and the case has been cited frequently in discussions about urban terrorism and criminal networks in Maharashtra.
Jahagirdar’s involvement — including allegations that he supplied weapons used in the blasts — was a key part of the ATS probe. That association, combined with his subsequent bail and continued presence in Shrirampur, made him a notorious figure in both legal records and local memory.
Security and Legal Implications
Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether additional conspirators were involved in Jahagirdar’s killing or if it was the result of personal vendettas, gang rivalry or political hostility. Preliminary reports have not ruled out any possibility, and authorities are keeping all options open as they gather evidence.
For law enforcement, the case highlights the challenges of balancing bail rights with public safety concerns in prolonged investigations, especially when accused persons have histories of serious criminal allegations.
Summary
- Aslam Shabbir Shaikh, alias Bunty Jahagirdar, a key accused in the 2012 Pune JM Road serial bomb blasts case, was shot dead on December 31, 2025, in Shrirampur, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra.
- The attack occurred as Jahagirdar was returning from a funeral on a motorcycle when two motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire, fatally wounding him.
- Police have arrested two suspects, both aged 23, identified as Ravindra Nikalje and Krushna Shingare, who have confessed to their involvement.
- Investigators are probing motives including political rivalry and criminal disputes, and security has been stepped up in the area.
- Jahagirdar had been out on bail since 2023 and faced numerous cases beyond the bomb blast allegations.
