The high-profile raid was conducted on Saturday morning, nearly six months after Farzan died following a prolonged illness. According to officials, Farzan’s second wife, Sheela Ganpatrao Salve, 52, was present at the bungalow when Crime Branch personnel arrived for the search operation.
During the investigation, officials recovered ₹5,26,29,560 in unaccounted cash stored inside different rooms of the bungalow. The recovered currency included ₹100 and ₹200 notes, along with a large quantity of small bundles containing ₹50, ₹20, and ₹10 notes. To calculate the exact amount, authorities brought five currency counting machines to the location.
The search operation also led to the recovery of a significant number of weapons valued at approximately ₹5,50,000. The seized weapons included two pistols with magazines, four rifles, 12-bore rifles, two air guns, a .22 rifle, one sword, three daggers, 17 types of knives, and 21 other sharp-edged weapons.
Apart from cash and weapons, officials recovered gold jewellery worth ₹21,34,350, silver articles valued at ₹8,09,248, and 45 liquor bottles belonging to various foreign and reputed companies with an estimated value of ₹34,836.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the licenses for the 12-bore rifle, .22 rifle, one pistol, and a revolver were registered in Baba Farzan’s name. However, police officials did not find any valid license or supporting documents for the second pistol recovered from the premises.
Officials stated that financial records, bank account details, and documents related to suspected benami properties recovered during the raid could provide crucial leads into several unresolved criminal cases dating back to the 1990s.
Baba Farzan had emerged as a prominent and feared figure in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and surrounding areas during the 1990s. His name was linked to the settlement of several major disputes, extortion activities, and land-related conflicts in the city during that period.
Originally from the Rohila Gali area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Farzan had served as a labour union president during the 1980s and 1990s. He was accused in four serious criminal cases involving rioting, assault, attempted murder, and kidnapping.
In recent years, Farzan’s influence over criminal networks had declined significantly due to his deteriorating health and advancing age. Following his death about six months ago due to prolonged illness, police launched the extensive search operation at properties associated with him.
The recovery of massive unaccounted cash, illegal weapons, valuables, and suspected property-related documents has brought renewed attention to the alleged financial and criminal networks associated with Baba Farzan, while investigators continue examining the seized material for further links to past cases.
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