Pune: Family of Four Held for Allegedly Duping 22 Investors of Rs 5 Crore in Hinjewadi
Pune, 22nd June 2026: The Pimpri Chinchwad police have arrested four members of a family for allegedly defrauding investors of around Rs 5 crore by promising high returns through chit fund and stock market investments.
The accused — Ramesh Aherkar, his wife Pooja, and their sons Vedant and Aditya, all residents of Maan near Hinjewadi — were arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) after months on the run. Police said the family allegedly collected money from investors between May 2023 and March 2026 through three firms, offering returns of 5-6 per cent.
The case came to light after a 59-year-old lawyer approached the Hinjewadi police in March, alleging that the family had taken money from him and several others on the promise of lucrative returns. According to investigators, the complainant had known Aherkar for over a decade and was persuaded to invest in the family’s ventures. Between 2023 and 2025, he allegedly transferred Rs 57 lakh to bank accounts linked to Aherkar and his sons.
Police said the accused issued post-dated cheques as security, but the cheques later bounced. As investors began demanding refunds, the family allegedly locked their residence and disappeared.
A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act before being transferred to the EOW for further investigation.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Yuvraj Kalkutage tracked down and arrested the four accused from Nevasa in Ahilyanagar district. They were produced before a court, which remanded them in police custody till June 22.
Police said 22 victims have so far approached investigators, reporting losses amounting to nearly Rs 5 crore. Preliminary findings indicate that as many as 40 people from Maan and Hinjewadi may have been duped in the alleged investment scam.
Investigators have frozen 11 bank accounts linked to the accused and are scrutinising financial transactions to trace the money trail. Police have also appealed to other investors who may have been affected to come forward and file complaints.
