Pune, 8th August 2026: Crime Branch of Pune Police have arrested three interstate robbers from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly shooting a construction businessman and fleeing with two gold chains worth around ₹11 lakh in Haveli taluka.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Avinash Krishnachandra Tripathi (43), a resident of Bakori in Pune and originally from Uttar Pradesh; Surendrapal Ramchandra Pal (32) from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh; and Mohammad Shoeb Wasim Khan (37), also from Barabanki.
The incident took place on the night of August 5 in the Gawadewadi-Shiraswadi area of Haveli taluka. Construction businessman Santosh Dnyanoba Gawade (50) was travelling in his car when three men riding motorcycles allegedly opened fire at him.
Gawade was seriously injured in the firing. The suspects then allegedly snatched two gold chains from his neck, collectively valued at about ₹11 lakh, before fleeing the spot.
The Lonikand police registered a case for attempt to murder and robbery following the incident.
Considering the seriousness of the crime, teams from Crime Branch Unit 7 and the Robbery and Vehicle Theft Detection Squad began investigating the case.
Police used technical analysis and information gathered from the motorcycle involved in the crime to identify the suspects. Investigators later learnt that the accused had fled to Indore.
Teams immediately travelled to Madhya Pradesh and detained all three suspects within 24 hours.
According to police, Avinash Tripathi is the alleged mastermind of the robbery. He was wanted in connection with several major robberies in India and Nepal, and a reward of ₹50,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.
Tripathi has around 20 serious cases registered against him in Uttar Pradesh, including murder, attempted murder and robbery. In 2018, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force arrested him following an encounter in Lucknow.
Police said Surendrapal Pal has 12 to 13 cases related to theft and robbery registered against him in Uttar Pradesh, while Mohammad Khan faces around five criminal cases in the state.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Sanjay Darade, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Tejaswi Satpute and Deputy Commissioner of Police Gawhar Hasan.
Police Inspector Santosh Sonawane, along with officers and personnel from Crime Branch Unit 7 and the Robbery and Vehicle Theft Detection Squad, took part in the operation.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused were involved in other robbery cases in Pune and elsewhere.
