Pune Police Arrest Three Within Three Hours For Theft Of 154 Cans Of Orthophosphoric Acid Worth ₹15.4 Lakh From Chemical Warehouse
Pune Police Arrest Three Within Three Hours For Theft Of 154 Cans Of Orthophosphoric Acid Worth ₹15.4 Lakh From Chemical Warehouse
Pune, June 21, 2026: The Nanded City Police in Pune swiftly cracked a major theft case involving industrial chemicals, arresting a three-member gang within three hours of the complaint being lodged and recovering stolen goods worth over ₹20 lakh.
According to police, the complainant reported the theft of several 25-litre white cans of Orthophosphoric Acid
manufactured by RANKEM from the warehouse of Reliable Chemicals located near the canal at Survey No. 108/8, Dhayari. Based on the complaint, Nanded City Police registered a case under Crime Register No. 169/2026 under Section 305(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Acting on the instructions of Senior Police Inspector Atul Bhos, a special investigation team comprising police personnel Sangram Shingare, Shivaji Kshirsagar, and Mohan Misal launched an immediate search operation.
Using intelligence gathered through confidential informants, the police detained suspect Vaibhav Balasaheb Chavan (26) near Maple Society, close to Dhayreshwar Temple in Dhayari. During interrogation, Chavan confessed to committing the theft with the help of his associates Rohan Santosh Indulkar (29) and Nikhil Tanaji Pawar (23).
The three accused were taken into custody, and police recovered:
154 cans of RANKEM Orthophosphoric Acid
Stolen chemicals valued at ₹15.40 lakh
A pickup vehicle used in the crime.
The total value of the recovered property is estimated at ₹20.40 lakh.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
1. Vaibhav Balasaheb Chavan (26), resident of Maple Residency, near Dhayreshwar Temple, Dhayari, Pune.
2. Rohan Santosh Indulkar (29), resident of Maple Residency, near Dhayreshwar Temple, Dhayari, Pune.
3. Nikhil Tanaji Pawar (23), resident of Akash Homes, near Shiksha Veritas School, Pokale Vasti, Dhayari, Pune.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Rajesh Bansode, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Sagar Kavde, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sinhagad Road Division) Vijay Kumbhar.
The investigation team included Police Sub-Inspector Dattatraya Sawant and police personnel Sangram Shingare, Shivaji Kshirsagar, Mohan Misal, Nilesh Kulthe, Akshay Jadhav, Satish Khot, Swapnil Magar, Nilesh Khambe, Raju Vegare, Pratik More, and Bhimraj Gangurde.
