Inter-State Gang Uncovered in Pune for Stealing Gold Chains During Ganesh Visarjan

Pune, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Pune police have dismantled an inter-state gang that exploited crowds during the Ganesh Visarjan festival to steal gold chains and mangalsutras. The gang, based in Uttar Pradesh, was uncovered after the arrest of 34-year-old Vijaypal Kanwar Sain from Shamli district.

Authorities recovered over ₹21.21 lakh worth of items, including 139.720 grams of gold jewelry, a mobile phone, a sharp knife, and an iron cutter. The investigation revealed a total of 13 theft cases linked to this gang.

On the night of September 25, a victim named Sagar Prakash Komati was watching the Ganesh immersion procession near Belbag Chowk in Pune. During this time, six individuals surrounded him, snatched his mobile phone, and threatened him with a knife. They then used an iron cutter to sever the gold chain he was wearing before fleeing the scene. The stolen items were valued at over ₹1.46 lakh.

Following the incident, the Faraskhana police received confidential information about the involvement of six individuals from Shamli. Police detained Vijaypal for questioning. Under the guidance of Assistant Police Inspector Anil Surwase, the investigation confirmed his admission of participation alongside five accomplices in the crime.

Subsequent raids in Uttar Pradesh led to the recovery of stolen jewelry, the victim’s mobile phone, a knife, and the cutter. The investigation also revealed 12 additional cases of gold chain and mangalsutra theft.

According to police, the suspects reside in Islam Pur Ghasoli village in Shamli district. They targeted crowds, religious events, and fairs, encircling victims to cut gold chains and mangalsutras before escaping.