Two women, linked to gangster and jailed in murder case, win Pune civic polls

The results of the Pune municipal elections, held on January 15, sparked controversy after two women, now jailed in connection with a high-profile murder case, won seats.

Despite being in judicial custody at Yerwada Central Jail, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party candidate Sonali Vanraj Andekar (35) and Lakshmi Udaykant Andekar (60) won the Pune municipal elections from ward number 23.

Sonali Andekar is the wife of Vanraj Andekar, a former NCP corporator who was assassinated on September 1, 2024 in Nana Peth locality in Pune. Sonali and Lakshmi were among 16 people arrested for the sensational murder of 19-year-old Ayush Komkar, grandson of local gangster Suryakant “Bandu” Andekar.
The Ward 23 assembly constituency encompasses the central part of the city, including areas such as Raviwar Peth and Nana Peth. Sonali Andekar is the widow of ex-corporator Vanraj Andekar and daughter-in-law of former councilor Bandu Andekar.

She was trailing early in the counting but managed to beat Pratibha Dhangekar, wife of Shiv Sena politician Ravindra Dhangekar, by a total of 13,819 votes, the Indian Express reported. While Pratibha received 10,590 votes, BJP’s Anuradha Manche came third with 10,295 votes.

With 12,641 votes, Lakshmi Andekar won the election defeating BJP’s Rutuja Gadale by a margin of 141 votes. Rutuja Gadale got 12,500 votes and came second. Ayush’s mother and Bandu Andekar’s daughter Kalyani Komkar contested the elections against Lakshmi to protest her son’s death, but she got only 282 votes.

The case against Lakshmi and Sonali Andekar dates back to September 2025, when Ayush Komkar was allegedly shot and murdered in Pune’s Bhavani Peth area.

This incident increased the rivalry between the families of Andekars and Komkars, and it was alleged that it was a case of revenge for the murder of Vanraj Andekar in 2024. Key members of the Andekar family, such as Bandu, his son Krushna Andekar, Sonali and Lakshmi, were eventually arrested.

Conditional permission from the court allowed the two women to apply from prison, but their requests for bail were rejected, Mid-Day reported.

After his nomination and subsequent victories, the NCP faced widespread criticism for choosing candidates facing serious criminal charges.

Ajit Pawar and his party also supported the Andekar family during the election campaign. Sonali’s daughter and other members of the Andekar family were seen sharing the same platform with Ajit Pawar during election rallies held in the city.

Pradnya Andekar, a relative of the newly elected corporators, thanked the voters for keeping their faith in the family, according to PTI, and promised that they would continue to work for the welfare of the residents.