Pune, 17th October 2026: Faraskhana Police have uncovered an interstate gang accused of stealing gold jewellery and mobile phones from devotees during Ganeshotsav immersion procession. Police arrested the alleged main accused from Uttar Pradesh and seized property worth ₹21.21 lakh, bringing 13 theft cases to light.
The arrested suspect has been identified as Vijaypal Kavar Sain, 34, a resident of Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh. Five other members of the gang have also been identified.
The investigation began after a theft reported near Belbaug Chowk on September 25. The complainant, Sagar Komati, was watching the immersion procession near Wednesday Chowk when a group of six men allegedly assaulted him, threatened him with a knife and used a cutter to snatch his gold chain and mobile phone.
Based on confidential information gathered by police personnel, investigators traced the suspected gang to Shamli. Sain was detained and questioned, following which police travelled to Uttar Pradesh and recovered the stolen jewellery and mobile phone.
The seizure included 139.720 grams of gold jewellery, a stolen mobile phone, a knife and an iron cutter. The recovered property was valued at ₹21,21,100. The operation also helped uncover 13 cases, including chain and mangalsutra thefts.
In a separate operation, Vishrambaug Police arrested three suspects from Haryana for allegedly stealing jewellery and mobile phones during Ganeshotsav. The operation, carried out with assistance from Gujarat and Haryana Police, led officers to Palwal in Haryana.
Police recovered property worth approximately ₹23 lakh, including jewellery valued at around ₹13 lakh and a vehicle. The investigation uncovered nine theft cases. One of the suspects was reportedly already in the custody of Gujarat’s Aravalli Police.
The two operations highlight police action against interstate gangs accused of targeting devotees in crowded Ganeshotsav processions.