Pune Police Execute Swift Rescue Operation, Nab Six in Abduction Case
In a dramatic display of efficiency, the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch successfully rescued a 43-year-old building material supplier and arrested six individuals involved in his abduction. The incident, which unfolded on Monday evening, saw the victim taken near Kalewadi before being found abandoned on the Pune-Nashik highway early Tuesday morning.
Abduction Details and Ransom Demand
According to police reports, the gang executed their plan with chilling precision around 5:15 PM on Monday. Posing as police personnel from Uttar Pradesh, the suspects intercepted the victim's two-wheeler in a Shivrajnagar lane. When the businessman attempted to escape, one assailant kicked his vehicle, causing him to fall before forcing him into a black hatchback.
Shivaji Pawar, deputy commissioner of police (crime) for Pimpri Chinchwad, revealed the subsequent developments: "The accused used the victim's cellphone to contact his brother. They demanded Rs 50 lakh and threatened to kill him if the money was not paid."
Police Response and Investigation
Immediately following the abduction report, Pimpri Chinchwad police chief Vinoy Kumar Choubey mobilized eight specialized teams to track the suspects and secure the victim's release. The investigation quickly traced the vehicle's movement toward Nashik, prompting strategic deployment of personnel at Ale Phata where the ransom exchange was scheduled.
Coordinated police efforts between Pimpri Chinchwad and Ahilyanagar districts proved crucial. Pawar explained: "We alerted Ahilyanagar police. Our anti-extortion squad set up a trap at a toll plaza near Sangamner and, with local police support, apprehended the five suspects."
Recovery and Additional Arrest
Police recovered significant evidence from the arrested individuals, including:
- Two country-made pistols
- Six cartridges
- The getaway car
- The victim's expensive wristwatch
The total value of recovered items amounts to approximately Rs 18 lakh.
In a parallel development, authorities arrested another suspect from Kalewadi who allegedly masterminded the abduction. The accused, identified as Santan Chauhan (35), originally hails from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and operates a building material supply business. Chauhan had previously worked for the victim, providing a potential motive for the crime.
Victim's Ordeal and Financial Loss
The abductors abandoned their captive at Chandanapuri Ghat on the Pune-Nashik highway after receiving alerts about police movements from their Kalewadi accomplice. Assistant inspector Harish Mane and his anti-gunda squad located the traumatized victim around 12:30 AM on Tuesday.
Before releasing him, the criminals committed additional financial crimes. "The abductors transferred Rs 60,000 from his UPI account," confirmed DCP Pawar, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the offense.
Gang Composition and Legal Proceedings
Investigations revealed that Chauhan collaborated with five other men from Pratapgarh and Azamgarh districts in Uttar Pradesh to plan and execute the abduction. Remarkably, the group had arrived in Pune just three days before the incident, suggesting premeditated criminal intent.
All arrested individuals have been transferred to Kalewadi police custody and are scheduled for court presentation on Wednesday. The swift resolution—achieved within six hours of the abduction—demonstrates effective inter-district police coordination and investigative prowess in tackling organized crime.
