In a swift nighttime operation, police in Nashik's Ahilyanagar area successfully rescued a 60-year-old man who had been abducted from Washim district and arrested two alleged criminals from Jalna. The dramatic rescue unfolded after a brief chase on Sunday night, culminating in the suspects' vehicle crashing into a road divider.
Dramatic Chase and Rescue in MIDC Area
The victim, identified as Sitaram Khanjode from Asegaon, Pen in Washim district, was safely rescued around 10 pm. The operation was set into motion after Washim police, investigating the kidnapping and a separate robbery case, tracked the suspects' movement and alerted senior officials in Nashik. Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge directed Local Crime Branch (LCB) PI Kiran Kabadi to take action.
An initial police checkpoint (nakabandi) was established at the Shendi bypass road. However, the suspects managed to evade this barrier and sped towards the MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) area. This prompted the MIDC police to join and take over the pursuit.
Suspects Apprehended After Car Crash
Assistant Police Inspector Manik Chaudhary provided details of the final moments of the chase. "Approximately 10 minutes into the pursuit, one of the suspects driving the car crashed into a road divider, causing the vehicle to stop," said API Chaudhary. The collision brought the car to a halt, allowing the police team to swiftly apprehend the two individuals inside. Sitaram Khanjode was found in the car and successfully rescued, as per the guidance of SP Somnath Gharge.
The arrested accused have been named as Rahul Dilip Mhaske (32) and Satish alias Balu Vinayak Jadhav (25). Following their arrest in Nashik, the duo was handed over to the Washim police for further investigation. A case has been registered against them at the Risod police station under charges of abduction with intent to murder and cheating.
Links to Notorious Marriage Fraud Gang
Investigations have revealed a more sinister pattern behind the accused's activities. PI Rameshwar Chavan of Risod police stated that the two are part of a larger gang of conmen who specialize in duping families by promising marriage alliances. "They accept money, conduct the wedding and later flee with their female associate posing as the bride," explained PI Chavan, outlining their modus operandi.
In addition to the kidnapping, the accused are also alleged to have robbed another person of Rs 22,000 while fleeing from Washim. This robbery case aided the Washim police in tracking their movements and coordinating with the Nashik police, leading to the successful interception.
The case highlights the inter-district coordination between Washim and Nashik police forces, which proved crucial in ensuring the safe recovery of the elderly victim and the capture of the suspects involved in a series of fraudulent and violent crimes.
