Pune Cops Accused of Coercing Jeweller for 28 Tola Gold — Complaint Now Withdrawn

Wanowrie, 14th May 2025: A controversial case involving four policemen from Wanowrie Police Station, accused of coercing a jeweller from Karnataka into handing over gold, has taken a dramatic turn after the complainant withdrew his allegations.

The case, which had cast a shadow over the Pune Police force, initially drew public attention when Kapil Mafatlal Jain, a jeweller from Ballari, Karnataka, accused four constables of forcefully taking 28 tolas (approximately 280 grams) of gold from him under the guise of an investigation.

According to Jain’s earlier complaint in December 2024, the policemen —Mahesh Vitthal Gadve, Sarfaraz Noor Khan Deshmukh, Sandeep Ananda Salve, and Somnath Popat Kamble—visited his shop while probing a theft case. They alleged Jain had previously purchased gold from a suspect and accused him of receiving 100 tolas of stolen gold. Under alleged pressure, Jain said he handed over 28 tolas of gold to avoid further harassment.

He subsequently filed a written complaint via speed post to the Pune Police Headquarters, seeking action against the policemen and raising concerns about departmental integrity. The Pune Police responded by initiating internal disciplinary proceedings. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) Dr. Rajkumar Shinde issued show-cause notices to the officers and, after reviewing their responses, imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on each of them.

However, the case took a surprising turn this week when Jain submitted an affidavit retracting his complaint. In the document, Jain stated he was “under pressure” when he made the original allegations but did not elaborate further. This sudden withdrawal has sparked speculation about whether Jain faced external pressure to drop the charges.

The development has raised new concerns about transparency and accountability within the force. Despite the retraction, critics question why no legal action has been initiated against Jain for allegedly misleading the police and harming the reputation of the Maharashtra Police.

Adding to the controversy, one of the cops implicated in this case is also suspected of involvement in internal extortion rackets, according to sources. This has prompted fresh questions about disciplinary standards and ethical conduct within the police ranks.