Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 25th August 2026: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Crime BranchтАЩs Unit 4 has arrested six alleged habitual offenders in connection with the kidnapping and robbery of a motorcyclist near Gahunje Stadium. Police seized an autorickshaw and a mobile phone, collectively valued at тВ╣1.80 lakh, during the investigation.
The incident occurred at around 11 pm on August 21, 2026. According to a police press note, the complainant was travelling on his motorcycle near a Zepto store after leaving Lodha Society in Gahunje when the accused allegedly intercepted him with an autorickshaw.
The assailants allegedly forced the complainant into the autorickshaw and abducted him. They then took him to an open ground near a crematorium in Mamurdi, assaulted him and forcibly took тВ╣90,000 in cash before fleeing.
Following the incident, Talegaon Dabhade Police registered FIR No. 313/2026 under Sections 309(6), 126(2), 137(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 4 and 25 of the Arms Act.
Considering the seriousness of the case, Crime Branch Unit 4 launched an investigation. As there was initially no direct evidence against the unidentified suspects, investigators examined CCTV footage to trace the autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime. They also analysed the call detail records of suspects and gathered information through confidential informants.
Based on the technical investigation and intelligence inputs, police identified and arrested Suraj Shankar Chalwadi (24), a resident of Siddharthnagar in Mamurdi; Dipak Dayanand Bhandge (24), currently residing near Zeal Chowk, Narhe, and originally from Latur; Avinash Arun Wankhede (26), currently residing near Zeal Chowk and originally from Dapodi in Velhe taluka; Prathamesh alias Pratik Haribhau Kank (27), a resident of Adai village in Panvel, Raigad district; Viraj alias Sunny Yuvraj Hirve (19), a resident of Siddharthnagar in Mamurdi; and Isak Raju Kajapuram (28), also a resident of Siddharthnagar in Mamurdi.
Police questioned the accused and seized the autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime and a mobile phone. The total value of the recovered property was estimated at тВ╣1.80 lakh.
According to police, the accused are habitual offenders and have previously been booked in serious cases, including robbery and dacoity. They were handed over to Talegaon Dabhade Police for further investigation and legal action.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sarang Awad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rohidas Pawar and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime-1) Dr Sudarshan Rathod.
The team comprised Senior Police Inspector Arjun Ghodpatil, Assistant Police Inspector Shridhar Bhosale, police personnel Rajaram Lonkar, Mahesh Waybase, Amol Borate, Ganesh Mahadik, Santosh Asawale, Sachin More, Ganesh Sonatakke, Anjanrao Sodgir, Ramdas Mergal, Shekhar Kharade, Amol Vetal, Amol Mate, Babaraje Munde, Dayanand Khedkar, Sandip Sukhdane, Sachin Nagare, Prashant Sonawane, technical analysis team members Trinayan Balsaraf, Nagesh Mali and Nanavare.
