Pune: Pune Police Nab Driver Who Stole ₹15 Lakh Meant For Wedding Hall Labour Payments
Pune: Pune Police Nab Driver Who Stole ₹15 Lakh Meant For Wedding Hall Labour Payments
Pune, July 29, 2025 — In a major breakthrough, the Kalepadal Police Station in Pune has arrested a driver who fled with ₹15.06 lakh in cash and valuables meant for labour payments at a wedding hall project. The accused, Salman Yasin Pathan (32), a resident of Thane, was employed by the complainant as a driver.
According to the police, Pathan stole the money directly from the employer’s vehicle and went absconding. A case was registered under BNS Section 306. Since the crime, the accused had been evading arrest by frequently changing locations and using temporary mobile phones borrowed from strangers including cab drivers, hotel staff, and pedestrians, making it difficult for police to trace him.
Despite these challenges, Police Constable Pratik Lahigude tracked a single call made by the accused to his relatives from one of his earlier mobile numbers. Through technical analysis, the team led by API Amit Shete managed to pinpoint his location. A trap was laid and Pathan was arrested from the Shil-Daighar area of Mumbra, Thane, with assistance from one of his friends.
The police recovered stolen property worth ₹15,06,420, including cash, gold ornaments, a four-wheeler, and a mobile phone. The operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Rajkumar Shinde (Zone 5), ACP Dnyaneshwar Godse (Wanawadi Division), and Senior PI Mansing Patil of Kalepadal Police Station.
The investigating team included API Amit Shete, Constables Dawood Sayyed, Shahid Shaikh, Pradeep Bediskar, and others, whose coordinated effort led to the successful arrest and recovery. Authorities have praised the team’s commendable work in solving the case.
