Pune: Gang Impersonating Police Arrested for Kidnapping and Robbing Scrap Dealer In Baramati
Reported by Tikam Shekhawat
Pune, 1st October 2024: A gang impersonating police officers kidnapped and robbed a scrap dealer in Baramati city, Pune district. The Baramati Taluka Police and the Local Crime Branch of Pune rural police arrested three out of six members of the gang involved in the crime. Authorities have seized two country-made pistols and ₹2.51 lakh in the operation.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Santosh Laxman Bhandalkar (42), a resident of Panadare, Baramati; Suresh Ashok Rakhpasare (33), a resident of Kunjir Vasti, Mangji; and Shekhar Subhash Shinde, a resident of Sangvi, Baramati. A case has also been registered against three others: Suraj Shankar Madane, a resident of Malegaon, Baramati; Haribhau Baban Khude; and Ashok Ganpati Bansod, both residents of Manjari. All the accused have criminal records.
Further investigations are underway under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh.
The complaint was filed by Qutbuddin Subhedar Shah (40), a resident of Tandulwadi, Baramati, at the Baramati Taluka Police Station.
According to Shah, who owns a scrap shop in Vanjarwadi, the incident occurred on September 23. While he was at his shop, four unknown individuals arrived with an I-20 car, claiming they wanted to sell it. Upon noticing the vehicle had no number plate, Shah refused the deal.
Following this, the assailants forcefully abducted Shah, pretending to be police officers. They seized his mobile phone and ₹8,000 in cash, accusing him of buying stolen goods. The gang demanded ₹15 lakh, threatening to take him to Bhigwan Police Station if he didn’t comply. When Shah screamed for help, one of the kidnappers brandished a pistol.
The kidnappers eventually dropped Shah at a petrol pump near Chikhli village on the Daund-Nagar road. After Shah lodged a complaint, the police launched an investigation. Acting on a tip-off, authorities traced the vehicle used in the abduction to Santosh Bhandalkar. He was apprehended at Hingangaon while attempting to flee towards Solapur with his associates.
So far, three suspects have been arrested, and police are searching for the remaining culprits.
