Pune: Over Rs 1 Crore in Valuables Stolen Annually from PMPML Buses; Police Trace Thefts to Gangs in Mundhwa
Pune, 12th April 2025: Public transport in Pune is increasingly becoming a hotspot for petty thefts, with the city crime branch revealing that valuables worth over ₹1 crore are stolen each year from Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) buses.
From pickpocketing and mobile phone snatching to bag lifting and jewellery theft, criminals are targeting unsuspecting passengers across several key PMPML routes. According to official data, 195 cases of theft were registered in 2023, resulting in the loss of valuables worth more than ₹1 crore. In comparison, 176 cases in 2022 saw passengers lose items worth over ₹1.65 crore.
The trend has continued into 2024, with 41 cases already reported in just the first quarter, involving thefts amounting to ₹81 lakh, officials said.
Crime Hotspots on PMPML Routes
The city’s busiest bus corridors — including Satara Road, Hadapsar Road, Karve Road, Ganeshkhind Road, Nagar Road, and the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass — are the most frequently targeted by thieves.
“In many of these thefts, passengers are unaware that their belongings have been stolen until much later. The criminals work in groups, creating a distraction or crowd to carry out the act swiftly,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Shailesh Balkawade.
He added, “There are specialised gangs operating in and around Pune that target PMPML buses. Some are experts in electronic theft, focusing on laptops and smartphones, while others target wallets, purses, or jewellery — especially from elderly passengers.”
Gangs from Mundhwa Under Police Radar
Police investigations have traced the majority of these thefts to three known gangs based in the Mundhwa area. These groups have made PMPML buses their primary hunting ground, with members frequently boarding buses posing as commuters.
“The gangs typically strike during peak hours, when buses are overcrowded. They take advantage of the rush to slip wallets or cut bangles without drawing attention,” a senior crime branch officer explained.
In a bid to crack down on the menace, 139 suspects were arrested in 2023, and stolen property worth ₹30.52 lakh was recovered. This year, 74 suspects have already been apprehended, and valuables worth ₹11.88 lakh have been retrieved. Police confirmed that nine suspects have been arrested in recent weeks, with ₹2.66 lakh worth of stolen items recovered from them.
Police Strengthen Security Measures on Buses
To curb the rising number of incidents, city police have increased surveillance at major bus stops and deployed plainclothes and uniformed personnel on PMPML buses — especially during rush hours.
“On routes like Ahmednagar Road, we have deployed women constables and undercover officers to monitor passenger movement and intercept theft attempts in real-time,” the officer added.
Authorities are urging commuters to remain alert, particularly during boarding and alighting, and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the police.
