Surendra Pandurang Patil — a self-styled Instagram influencer and builder from Dombivli, wanted in two serious criminal cases including the rape of a 19-year-old woman — was finally arrested by Thane Police's Anti-Extortion Cell from a hotel in Nashik. Patil, 52, had been absconding since April 1 when a case was registered against him at Manpada police station under sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
According to ACP Suhas Hemade, the survivor had approached police alleging Patil and his driver lured her via Instagram with a fake job offer at the Mumbai airport. She came to Dombivli where the accused allegedly sexually assaulted her. A case was filed under BNS sections 64, 74, 115(2), 351(2), 3(5) and the Arms Act sections 3 and 25 at the Manpada police station. A parallel case is also registered at Tilaknagar police station under IPC section 376(2)(n) for repeated sexual assault, along with sections 504 and 506.
Patil’s arrest took place at 8:00 p.m. on April 4 at Hotel Celebration in Nashik, following a tip-off received by the Anti-Extortion Cell. Indiranagar Police, Nashik, assisted in the operation. Patil has now been handed over to Manpada Police for further investigation.
13 Criminal Cases, Reels With Guns, and a 2022 Police Station Stunt
Patil, who gained social media notoriety for posting reels flaunting liquor, cash, and firearms, has a shocking 13 criminal cases against him — including charges for illegal possession and display of weapons at Manpada and Kolsewadi police stations. His social media bravado even included a 2022 stunt where he filmed reels inside a police station; a case was filed against him and five others back then, told ACP Suhas Hemade while talking to LokmatTimes.com.
The arrest was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre, Addl. Commissioner Dr. Punjabrao Ugale, DCP Amar Singh Jadhav, ACPs Shekhar Bagde and Vinayak Ghorpade, with a team led by PI Naresh Pawar and several officers from the Anti-Extortion Cell and Thane Crime Branch.