89 Held as Thieves Strike During Pune Palkhi Procession; Gold Jewellery Worth Rs 5.56 Lakh Stolen
Pune, 13 July 2026: Despite extensive security arrangements for the annual Palkhi procession, thieves targeted devotees at multiple locations across Pune, stealing gold jewellery worth more than ₹5.56 lakh. Cases have been registered at the Samarth, Manjari and Hadapsar police stations, while the Pune Police Crime Branch has detained 89 suspects in connection with thefts reported during the pilgrimage.
One of the incidents occurred on Friday morning near the Shri Palkhi Vitthoba Temple in Bhawani Peth, where a 51-year-old woman from Ganesh Peth lost her gold mangalsutra worth ₹1.10 lakh while offering prayers. According to her complaint lodged with the Samarth police station, the theft took place amid the crowd after she had completed the darshan and was watching the Palkhi chariot.
In another incident on Saturday afternoon, a woman watching the procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Palkhi at Shewalwadi on the Pune–Solapur Road lost her mangalsutra and gold chain worth ₹90,000. A case has been registered at the Manjari police station, and further investigation is underway.
The biggest theft was reported from Gadital Chowk in Hadapsar, where large crowds had gathered to witness the arrival of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s Palkhi. Police said gold jewellery worth ₹3.56 lakh was stolen from 10 devotees during the rush. A case has been registered at the Hadapsar police station, and Assistant Police Inspector Vijay Patil is investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, the Pune Police Crime Branch has detained 89 suspects, including 67 women, on suspicion of involvement in thefts targeting devotees and Warkaris during the Palkhi procession. Police officials said the suspects are being questioned, and further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
Police have appealed to devotees to remain vigilant while attending religious gatherings and to take extra precautions to safeguard their valuables in crowded areas.
