Debt-Ridden Jeweller In Pune Stages Fake Robbery To Evade Loan Repayment; Three, Including Relative, Arrested
Debt-Ridden Jeweller In Pune Stages Fake Robbery To Evade Loan Repayment; Three, Including Relative, Arrested
In a shocking twist to what initially appeared to be a daring daylight robbery, Pune police have uncovered that a jeweller faked a heist at his own shop to escape mounting financial pressure. Three individuals, including a relative of the shop owner, have been arrested in connection with the staged incident.
The case pertains to a reported robbery on April 15 at Shri Jewellers, located in Kalubai Chowk, Raykar Mala in Wadgaon Dhayari. Shop owner Vishnu Sakharam Dahiwal claimed that three masked men entered his store, pointed a gun at him, and fled with 220 grams of gold jewellery worth approximately ₹20 lakh.
However, during the investigation, officials from the crime branch and Nanded City Police discovered inconsistencies. CCTV footage from the area, combined with technical analysis, led them to the suspects — Dilip Subhash Mandlik (32), a relative of Dahiwal from Dighi, along with Rajesh alias Raju Galphade (40) and Sham Sheshrao Shinde (37), both residents of Bhosari’s Landewadi slums.
Upon arrest, police found that the ornaments recovered from the accused were fake. It was also revealed that the weapon used during the incident was a toy gun.
Investigators further established that Dahiwal was under significant financial stress due to heavy losses in the share market and jewellery business. In order to avoid repaying loans taken from local businessmen, he allegedly conspired with his relative Mandlik to fake the robbery. Dahiwal reportedly paid ₹10,000 in advance to Mandlik and promised another ₹2 lakh after the robbery.
The three men staged the robbery as planned, after which Dahiwal filed a false police complaint. However, with mounting evidence, he confessed to the crime and is expected to be formally arrested, police confirmed.
Senior Inspector Atul Bhos from Nanded City Police Station stated that all suspects are currently in police custody until April 23 as the investigation continues.
