Pune: The district Rural police on Friday withdrew security cover provided to Rana Suryavanshi (42), a shipping company owner, with a police officer stating that they have no further comment on why it was done.An officer from the Pune Rural police said, “We have withdrawn the constables provided as security to Suryavanshi. I cannot comment further on why his security was removed.”Suryavanshi has been under round-the-clock police protection since Sept last year, with three constables deployed with him in the jurisdictions of Pune Rural, Sambhajinagar police, Gadchiroli police and Solapur Rural police. Pune Rural police, however, withdrew the protection.The move comes in the backdrop of an attack on Suryavanshi on Oct 18. In the attack, he suffered an injury to his hand after a youngster allegedly opened fire at him and assaulted him with a knife. He is now stable.A Pune rural police officer said the two youngsters from Karvenagar were recruited by Baramati-based handlers, who paid Rs 2 lakh to carry out the assault. At the time of the attack, three police constables were present. They, however, failed to prevent the assault. “The two youngsters managed to reach Suryavanshi and attempted to kill him despite the constables and private security,” said the officer.The police have recorded the statements of three constables. Baramati Rural police have so far arrested five people in the attempted murder case.According to the investigation, it was revealed that there was a sixth person who allegedly paid the suspects to carry out the assault. Police are still searching for the sixth man. The motive remains under investigation, the officer said.
