Pune: A 20-year-old youth was robbed of ₹6,000 by an autorickshaw driver and his accomplice near Pune railway station. The autorickshaw driver, under the guise of providing a ride to the victim, took him to a deserted location, where he and his accomplice threatened and assaulted the youth before robbing him.

The incident occurred early on the morning of December 30. According to the complaint filed by the victim at Bundgarden Police Station, he had arrived at the Pune railway station area around 6:00 AM for work purposes. He hired an autorickshaw near the Tukaram Shinde parking lot, requesting to be dropped off at his destination.

The autorickshaw driver, accompanied by another individual, instead drove the victim to a remote area. There, they verbally abused and physically assaulted him, forcibly taking ₹1,200 from his pocket. Unsatisfied, they demanded more money and coerced the victim into transferring an additional ₹4,900 online.

After taking the money, the duo fled the scene, leaving the shaken victim behind. The victim promptly reported the incident to the police.

Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Gaikwad is leading the investigation, with Assistant Inspector Kadam handling the case. Police have noted a rise in robbery incidents in the city, with over 167 cases involving theft of mobile phones, jewelry, and cash under threat reported in the previous year.