What Led to Gangster Prasad Pujari's Clash in Mumbai Central Jail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prasad Pujari involved in a violent jail clash.
- Seven inmates charged in the incident.
- Authorities are conducting an internal investigation.
- No serious injuries reported.
- Security measures are being enhanced in the jail.
Mumbai, July 13 (NationPress) Gangster Prasad Pujari, who was extradited from China last year after evading authorities for almost two decades, has been implicated along with six other inmates following a violent confrontation within the high-security Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
The altercation transpired on July 6 around 12:30 p.m., leading the jail administration to initiate an internal investigation and the Mumbai Police to file an FIR.
A complaint from prison officer Ravindra Arjun Tonge, 39, reported that a brawl erupted among prisoners within the confines of the Mumbai Central Jail.
This clash involved members from two rival gangs, including Pujari himself.
The N.M. Joshi Marg Police Station registered the case on July 7 under Section 194(2) (fighting between two or more people that disturbs peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.
The seven inmates charged in connection with the incident have been identified as Irfan Rahim Khan (39), Shoaib Khan alias Bhurya (28), Ayub Anumuddin Shaikh (55), Mukesh Sitaram Nishad (29), Lokendra Udaysingh Rawat (31), Siddhesh Santosh Bhosale (26), and Prasad Vitthal Pujari (45).
No serious injuries were reported, but prison officials are treating the matter with utmost seriousness and have launched an internal probe to ascertain how such a violent incident could occur within a high-security facility.
Additional measures are now being implemented to prevent further disturbances.
Pujari, who has operated under various aliases including Subhash Vitthal Pujari, Siddharth Shetty, Siddhu, Sid, and Johnny, is a notorious figure in the Mumbai underworld.
Originally hailing from Tagore Nagar in Vikhroli East, Pujari, a close ally of gangster Kumar Pillai, later collaborated with the Chhota Rajan gang before establishing his criminal enterprise.
In 2005, he departed India for China on a student visa to study the Chinese language and mass communication.
Pujari was wanted in numerous cases, including murder.
For nearly 20 years, he lived in China with his wife, successfully evading Indian law enforcement until his return to India in March 2024 under custody.