ThynkTech CEO Harshal Thakre Detained After 700+ Employees Allege Salary Fraud in Pune
Hinjawadi, 3rd June 2026: More than 700 software professionals, trainees, and interns were allegedly left unemployed after an information technology company operating from Hinjawadi abruptly ceased operations earlier this year, triggering a police investigation into claims of unpaid salaries and financial irregularities.
The case came to light after an intern filed a complaint with the Hinjawadi Police, alleging that the company had collected security deposits from employees, failed to pay salaries, and shut down its office without prior notice.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to criminal breach of trust and cheating against the company’s chief executive officer, human resources head, and training and development head.
Senior Police Inspector Balaji Pandhare said the firm’s CEO, Harshal Thakre, was detained in Nashik on Tuesday and is being brought to Pune for further questioning.
“We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the closure of the company and examining the role of the management in the alleged financial losses suffered by employees,” Pandhare said.
When contacted before his detention, Thakre acknowledged serving as the company’s CEO but declined to comment on the allegations.
According to investigators, the company, registered in Noida and operating a branch in Pune’s IT hub of Hinjawadi, was involved in software and application development projects for external clients. It recruited engineering graduates from different parts of the country and provided training in technologies such as Java, Python, full-stack development, web services, Android applications, and artificial intelligence-based solutions.
Assistant Police Inspector Sandip Vangnekar, who is leading the investigation, said statements of around 30 affected employees have been recorded so far.
“Employees have informed us that the company collected ₹15,000 from each individual as a laptop security deposit. In addition, salaries for the last two months were allegedly not paid. Based on the complaints received till now, the financial loss is estimated at around ₹11.25 lakh, though the figure could rise as more victims come forward,” Vangnekar said.
Several employees told police that the company conducted large-scale recruitment drives in 2025 and initially appeared to function normally. Interns reportedly received stipends during the early months of their engagement, which helped build confidence among new recruits.
However, problems allegedly began in February 2026 when salary payments were delayed. Employees claimed that management attributed the delay to an internal audit process and repeatedly assured staff that pending payments would be cleared shortly.
Despite these assurances, salaries remained unpaid, employees said. Soon afterward, operations at the Pune office came to a halt.
Police said the company was functioning from rented premises and that the office was eventually locked after rental dues reportedly remained unpaid.
Among those affected is a 24-year-old engineering graduate from Jalna who joined the company through a campus placement process earlier this year. He alleged that he was promised a monthly stipend of ₹15,000 during training and a subsequent annual compensation package of ₹5.5 lakh. He also deposited ₹15,000 for a company laptop.
“Neither the stipend was paid nor was the laptop provided,” he told investigators.
Another trainee said employees were added to a social media group after the office shut down and were told that updates regarding salary payments and refunds would be shared there. According to employees, the last communication from the management was posted on May 17.
Offer letters issued to recruits reportedly described their roles as internship trainees and associate software engineers, with responsibilities including software design support, application development, testing, and code review activities.
Police officials said further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the statements of additional employees expected to approach the authorities in the coming days.
