Pune: In a swift and coordinated operation, Bharati Vidyapeeth Police arrested 12 individuals from a room in Shaninagar who were allegedly planning to rob a petrol pump on the Katraj highway.

Among the arrested are two minors, who have been taken into custody. The police seized five sickles, five motorcycles, chili powder, and ropes from them, with the total value of the confiscated items amounting to ₹2,52,150.

The accused have been identified as Prathamesh alias Devidas Kudale (23), Prakash Paraji Kate (24), Karan Sandeep Chikne (20), Azhar Ramzan Syed (23), Sushant Sudhakar Dhotre (19), Ayajan Niyaz Shaikh (19), Rehan Ramzan Syed (20), Arjan Shahid Shaikh (19), Farhan Satish Yenpure (19), Durgesh Hanumant Siddhapure (18), and Ankit Raju Hakale (21).

All are residents of different parts of Pune and are reportedly friends. Due to financial strain, they had conspired to rob a petrol pump on the Katraj highway during the night.

Acting on a tip-off, the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police, led by Assistant Police Inspector Kadam, along with officers Mangesh Pawar, Mahesh Barwakar, Nilesh Dhamdhere, Hanmant Masal, Nilesh Khairmode, Chetan More, Dhanaji Dhotre, and Sachin Sarpale, were conducting a patrol in the area on the night of September 15, as part of security measures for the ongoing Ganesh festival.

They were informed that a group of people had gathered with weapons in a tin shed behind the Mahadev Temple in Shaninagar Chowk. The police swiftly moved into action, surrounding the group and apprehending them.

Upon questioning, the individuals initially gave evasive answers, but after further interrogation, they admitted that they had gathered with the intention to rob a petrol pump due to their financial troubles. Senior Police Inspector Dashrath Patil is leading the ongoing investigation into the case.