Pune Crime: Kidnapped Businessman Rescued, 5 Accused Arrested After Rs 1.5 Crore Ransom Demand
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Swargate, 26th March 2026: A Pune-based businessman from Gultekdi who was allegedly kidnapped over a financial dispute was rescued safely by the Crime Branch after a high-risk operation, while five accused were arrested in the case.
According to police officials, the incident took place on March 24, 2026, when the trader was abducted by a group of men from the Timber Market area. The kidnappers later contacted the victim’s wife and demanded a ransom of ₹1.5 crore for his release.
Following the complaint, the Swargate Police registered a case under Crime Register No. 60/2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 140(2) and Section 3(5), and launched an investigation.
Police said that operations in kidnapping cases require extreme caution to ensure that the abducted person does not suffer any harm. Considering the sensitive nature of the case, a carefully planned rescue operation was conducted by the Pune Crime Branch.
Three teams were deployed in the Velhe, Donje and Khed Shivapur areas, where officers analysed every available lead and intensively searched the region.
During the investigation, the kidnappers instructed the victim’s family to deliver the ransom amount at Mitra Mandal Chowk in the Swargate area. Acting on the instructions of senior officers, Crime Branch teams laid a trap at the location.
When two men arrived at the spot to collect the ransom, police apprehended them without allowing the money to reach them. During interrogation, the duo revealed the location where the kidnapped businessman was being held.
The arrested accused were identified as Pranav Baban Nivangune (23), a resident of Ganesh Housing Society, Ambegaon Pathar, and Sahil Shrikant Khutwad (21), a resident of Kashid Nagar, Bhilarewadi, Katraj.
Further questioning revealed that the kidnapping had been carried out by Saurav Vishwanath Pawar (27) of Bavdhan Khurd, Shirish Jitendra Khopade (26) of Ambegaon Pathar, and Mandar Shridhar Darwatkar (30) of Vadgaon Budruk, Sinhagad Road.
The accused had allegedly transported the victim to Khed Shivapur in a silver Toyota Etios car.
Based on the information, Assistant Police Inspector Amol Rasal and his team quickly surrounded the suspects and conducted a swift raid. The kidnapped businessman was rescued safely during the operation, and three more accused were taken into custody and handed over to Swargate Police Station for further investigation.
Police said the accused are habitual offenders and cases have previously been registered against them in Pune city as well as in Pune rural areas.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajendra Mulik and Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Sankhe.
The teams involved in the operation included officers from the Crime Branch units and the Anti-Extortion Cell, led by Police Inspectors Rajmane, Kaingade, Prashant Annachhatre, Ajit Jadhav, and Assistant Police Inspector Amol Rasal along with their staff.
