Kharadi Police Rescue Pune Metro Contractor Kidnapped for Rs 50 Lakh Ransom; Five Arrested
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Kharadi, 17th April 2026: The Kharadi Police rescued a Pune Railway Metro contractor who was kidnapped for a ₹50 lakh ransom. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, which took place on April 14, 2026.
According to the police, the victim was lured to a spot in front of the Irani Cafe in Kharadi under the pretext of being shown land for a stone crusher plant. Upon his arrival, the accused forcibly abducted him in a white Fortuner and headed towards Pune-Nagar Road.
The kidnappers, led by the main accused Sagar Dattatray Jhurunge, allegedly assaulted and threatened the victim. To evade detection, they moved the contractor through various locations, including Loni Kand, Shikrapur, Sanaswadi, and Ranjangaon, frequently switching him between different vehicles, including a Scorpio and a Ford Endeavour. During the ordeal, the kidnappers called the victim’s father, demanding a ransom of ₹50 lakh for his safe release.
Acting on technical intelligence and CCTV footage, a team from the Kharadi Police Station, under the guidance of Deputy Commissioners of Police Nikhil Pingle (Crime) and Somay Munde (Zone 7), tracked the suspects’ movements. The police set up a strategic blockade (nakabandi) near the Perne Stambh on the main highway.
The operation was successful, resulting in the rescue of the businessman and the apprehension of all five suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sagar Dattatray Jhurunge (39), Vijay Suresh Walunj (38), Raju Vijaykumar Sahane (32), Rupesh Shivaji Gawade (38)—all residents of Loni Kand—and Prakash Balasaheb alias Balu Raut (34) from Tulapur.
Police have seized two Fortuners, one Scorpio, and a mobile phone, with the total value of recovered assets estimated at ₹49.10 lakh. A case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including kidnapping and extortion. The investigation is being led by Assistant Police Inspector Ravindra Godse.
Police Team Involved in the Operation
The successful rescue and arrests were carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (East Region) Manojkumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingle, Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kharadi Division) Pranjali Sonawane.
The on-ground investigation and rescue operation were led by Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Chavan and Assistant Police Inspector (API) Ravindra Godse (who is also conducting the further investigation), along with Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Rahul Kolape.
They were assisted by a dedicated team of police personnel, which included Shrikant Shende, Mahesh Nanekar, Manoj Kharpude, Sahebrao Gundale, Suraj Jadhav, Ashok Kedar, Shrikant Kodre, and Vilas Kedari.
