Pune: A gold artisan in Pune’s bustling Saraf Bazaar fell victim to a robbery when two unidentified men snatched a bag containing gold jewelry worth ₹20 lakh by distracting him with a request for directions. The incident took place in Moti Chowk, Raviwar Peth.

The victim, Chiranjeet Ambika Bag (23), originally from West Bengal, works as an artisan in a jewelry-making workshop where raw gold provided by jewelers is crafted into ornaments. On Thursday evening, around 5:15 PM, Chiranjeet was walking through Raviwar Peth carrying a bag containing gold jewelry worth ₹19.94 lakh.

As he reached Moti Chowk near Pushpam Jewelers, two unknown individuals approached him, pretending to ask for an address. While he was engaged in conversation, the thieves swiftly grabbed the bag and fled before he could react.

Upon hearing Chiranjeet’s cries for help, bystanders alerted the police. Senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Assistant Commissioner Anuja Deshmane, and Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme, immediately visited the crime scene to assess the situation.

The police are reviewing CCTV footage from Sonya Maruti Chowk and Moti Chowk to identify the suspects. Assistant Police Inspector Pratiksha Shendge is leading the investigation. The police are actively working to track down the culprits and recover the stolen gold.