Pune Temple Theft: Rs.38,000 Recovered After Man Caught Stealing from Mukund Nagar Temple Donation Box, Watch Video
Pune Temple Theft: Rs.38,000 Recovered After Man Caught Stealing from Mukund Nagar Temple Donation Box, Watch Video
Pune, May 31, 2025 — A man who broke into a temple in Pune’s Mukund Nagar area and stole cash from a donation box has been arrested by Swargate Police. The incident, which took place in the early hours of May 23, 2025, was caught on CCTV cameras installed at the temple premises. Police recovered ₹38,400 in cash and seized the tools used in the crime.
According to officials, the theft occurred at around 4:30am when the accused forcefully broke the entrance door of the Suryamukhi Chandni Amba Mata Temple and looted the donation box. Based on a complaint filed by the temple committee, a case was registered under Sections 305(A), 324(4), and 331(4) of the Indian Penal Code.
During their investigation, police reviewed CCTV footage that captured the suspect’s movements. On May 30, 2025, around 10am, officers scanning the Swargate ST Stand area spotted a man matching the description. When approached by constables Shankar Sampat and Sagar Kekan, the man attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended with the help of other police personnel.
The suspect, identified as Mahadev Tukaram Giramkar, 42, a farmer from Ahilyanagar district, was found in possession of ₹38,400 in cash and a set of burglary tools including a hammer, scissors, screwdriver, and two axes. During interrogation at Swargate Police Station, he confessed to committing the theft and confirmed that the money was stolen from the temple’s donation box.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Rajan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Rajesh Bansode, Deputy Commissioner Patil (Zone 2), and Assistant Commissioner Rahul Aware (Swargate Division).
The investigation team comprised PI Rahul Kolambikar, PSIs Ravindra Kargate and Shailesh Alete, along with constables Shankar Sampat, Sagar Kekan, Anuba Morale, Harshal Shinde, Sujay Pawar, Sandeep Ghule, Firoz Shaikh, Ramesh Ashan, Deepak Khedad, Prashant Tompe, and Hanumant Dudhe.
Their swift and coordinated efforts led to the arrest and recovery of the stolen amount, bringing a swift resolution to the case.
