Gang Poses As Police, Tries To Rob Pune Businessman Of ₹1 Crore

A daring robbery attempt was foiled in Pune when a gang of five individuals, posing as police officers, tried to rob a businessman of ₹1 crore in cash. The incident occurred on July 17, when Harshvardhan Bhushan Pawar, a 35-year-old resident of Talegaon Dabhade, was scheduled to deposit ₹1 crore in a bank.

Pawar, who runs a wholesale stationery business under the name HP Enterprises in Shivajinagar, had been informed by his family friend Kiran Apte that an acquaintance, Chavan Enterprises, urgently required ₹1 crore for business purposes. Pawar then carried the cash in two cloth bags and reached Brahma Hotel on Sinhagad Road, where he boarded a Santro car with Apte and two others.

However, instead of heading to the bank, the driver diverted the vehicle towards the highway. Near Navale Bridge, two men on a motorcycle intercepted the car, with one of them claiming to be a police officer and ordering the occupants to stop, saying they were carrying illegal cash. The accused allegedly threw chilli powder into Pawar's face and tried to snatch the bags.

During the commotion, Apte escaped with one bag containing ₹73.50 lakh, while the accused drove away with Pawar and the second bag. The vehicle eventually reached the Khed Shivapur Police Outpost, where the accused again claimed to be police officers. Alert police personnel questioned them, following which Pawar revealed the alleged robbery attempt.

The police identified the accused as Vikram Vilas Chakankar, Ameya Arvind Karle, and Ganesh Ramesh Kadam, and arrested them. Two other suspects remain at large. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway.

The entire amount of ₹1 crore was recovered safely, thanks to the prompt action of the police personnel at the Khed Shivapur Police Outpost. The incident highlights the importance of vigilance and quick thinking in preventing such crimes.

Pune has seen a rise in such incidents, where individuals pose as police officers to commit crimes. The police have urged citizens to be cautious and verify the identities of individuals claiming to be police officers.

The businessman, Harshvardhan Bhushan Pawar, has expressed gratitude to the police for their prompt action in foiling the robbery attempt. The incident has also raised awareness about the need for businesses to take necessary precautions when handling large amounts of cash.

The police are still searching for the two absconding suspects and are investigating the role of Kiran Apte, who had informed Pawar about the urgent requirement of ₹1 crore. The incident is a reminder of the need for citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

In conclusion, the foiled robbery attempt in Pune is a significant incident that highlights the importance of police vigilance and quick thinking in preventing crimes. The incident also raises awareness about the need for businesses to take necessary precautions when handling large amounts of cash and for citizens to be cautious when dealing with individuals claiming to be police officers.