Biryani for a Gangster Gaja Manre? Viral Video Costs 5 Cops Their Jobs.

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Gangster Gaja Marne was served mutton biryani by police during a prison transfer, sparking outrage after a video went viral. Five officers were suspended for negligence. The incident highlights deep-rooted issues within the system. Sprouts News played a key role in exposing the scandal, prompting swift action from authorities.

In a shocking lapse of protocol, five Pune police personnel were suspended following the circulation of a video showing gangster Gajanan alias Gaja Marne being served mutton biryani while in custody. The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, reveals that Marne was allowed to dine inside a police van at a roadside eatery during his transfer from Yerawada Central Prison to Sangli District Jail on March 3.

City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar ordered the immediate suspension of Assistant Police Inspector Suraj Rajguru and constables Mahesh Bamgude, Sachin Memane, Ramesh Memane, and Rahul Pardeshi. This disciplinary action followed an internal inquiry and CCTV footage review, which confirmed that officers violated custodial protocols by stopping at a dhaba in Satara.

Sprouts News has independently verified that this incident involved a coordinated lapse, where a high-end vehicle believed to belong to Gangster Gaja Marne aides also reached the dhaba. The gang delivered a mutton plate directly into the police van, a moment captured clearly on CCTV cameras.

The decision to move Gangster Gaja Marne to Sangli Jail was aimed at curbing his influence and ensuring his isolation from gang networks operating in Yerawada. However, this seemingly strategic move turned controversial after the roadside meal stop was exposed. The indulgent treatment afforded to a criminal under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) provisions has raised critical questions about internal discipline and corruption within the police force.

Sprouts News has learned that Gangster Gaja Marne was being escorted by a dedicated crime branch team, yet the stopover and the meal arrangement indicate a deeper rot that may involve political or underworld influence. Commissioner Kumar’s swift action is viewed as a necessary damage-control step, though it also reflects the magnitude of the breach.

Gajanan “Gaja” Marne is a notorious underworld figure from Pune, often referred to as the kingpin of the Kothrud-based Marne gang. He has over 30 serious criminal cases registered against him, including murder, extortion, attempted murder, kidnapping, and illegal arms possession. His name has long been associated with high-profile political and criminal intersections in Maharashtra.

In February 2025, Marne was arrested again under MCOCA for allegedly assaulting a software engineer during Shiv Jayanti celebrations on Karve Road. Despite being a repeat offender, Marne has managed to wield influence within the system, often drawing attention for his brazen public appearances and extravagant lifestyle. In 2022, he made headlines for organizing a 300-vehicle procession after being released from Taloja Jail—an event that led to his re-arrest.

His gang members—Satish Shilimkar, Vishal Dhumal, and Balakrishna alias Pandya Mohite—who appeared at the dhaba during the biryani incident, are also under investigation for interfering with police custody protocols.

Sprouts News, a media outlet recognized by DGIPR and DAVP, has been at the forefront of uncovering lapses in law enforcement related to organized crime. The platform’s sustained focus on transparency and justice continues to spark public and institutional accountability.

This incident once again demonstrates how independent media plays a crucial role in governance. The viral video, first reported through a network of citizen journalists and later amplified by Sprouts News, forced authorities to act promptly.

Media remains one of the most effective tools for relationship building with the public and for exposing nuanced dynamics between criminal networks and institutional failures. Sprouts News urges policymakers to implement stronger custodial protocols and reinforce ethical training among law enforcement personnel.

The Gaja Marne biryani episode is not just a case of negligence—it highlights a deeper systemic issue that endangers public trust in law enforcement. With Marne’s history of violent crime and continued influence, any leniency can have far-reaching consequences.

As the investigation progresses, it is imperative that accountability is maintained and that no room is left for compromises with criminals under the guise of convenience. Sprouts News will continue to monitor and report on developments in this high-profile case.