Senior Pomegranate Trader Targeted in Brazen Nashik Robbery
A 65-year-old pomegranate trader from Nashik district fell victim to a violent robbery, losing Rs 5 lakh to a gang posing as passengers in an auto rickshaw. The shocking incident occurred on Monday evening around 5:45 pm in the Adgaon Naka area of Nashik city, sending ripples through the local business community.
Modus Operandi: A Chilling Account
The elderly victim, a resident of Pimpalgaon Baswant in Niphad taluka, had travelled to the city to settle payments with other traders. He boarded a bus from his village at 4:45 pm and reached Adgaon Naka by 5:40 pm. From there, he hired an auto rickshaw, unaware that the driver and two other passengers, all speaking in Hindi and Marathi, were part of a criminal conspiracy.
After covering some distance, the situation turned violent. One passenger forcefully held the trader's hands while the other attempted to snatch his bag containing the cash. When the senior citizen resisted, the assailants escalated their aggression. They placed an object on his head and threatened to kill him if he raised an alarm. The criminals also struck him on the ribs with a hard object before pushing him out of the moving vehicle onto the road.
Police Action and Investigation Underway
In a stroke of luck, a passing scooterist witnessed the distressed man and came to his aid. The Good Samaritan helped him into another auto rickshaw and took him to the Mumbai Agra highway. However, by the time help arrived, the suspects had fled the scene with the substantial sum of money.
Acting on the trader's complaint, the Panchavati police have registered a formal case. The charges have been filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Police officials confirmed they are actively investigating the case, examining CCTV footage and pursuing all leads to apprehend the culprits.
This incident has alarming echoes of a similar crime from September, where two pilgrims travelling to Trimbakeshwar by auto rickshaw were robbed of their cellphones, cash, and jewellery. The recurrence of such crimes has raised concerns about passenger safety in shared transport.
The Nashik city police, under the guidance of Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, have previously initiated crackdowns on auto rickshaw drivers operating without proper uniform, badge, or driving licence. This recent high-value robbery is likely to intensify scrutiny and enforcement efforts to ensure public safety on city roads.
