Pune: Fourth Robbery in Four Years at Doctor’s Bungalow in Lonavala: Armed Gang Loots Rs 11.5 Lakh in Midnight Raid
Lonavala, 27th May 2025: In a shocking recurrence of crime, a gang of 20 to 22 armed dacoits struck the residence of Dr. Hiralal Jagannath Khandelwal in Lonavala for the fourth time in four years, looting cash and jewellery worth Rs 11.5 lakh during a violent midnight robbery. The armed group, wielding swords, kukris, and wooden sticks, stormed into the bungalow in Khondagewadi around 2:51 am on 27th May, creating a wave of panic among the occupants.
The robbers broke open the iron gate, the main entrance, and the bedroom door to gain access. Watchman and his wife, who were sleeping in the porch, were assaulted and tied up with cloth stuffed in their mouths. The gang then entered the bedroom, where they restrained Dr. Khandelwal and his wife, threatening to kill them if they made any noise.
The robbers fled with gold bangles worth Rs 1.25 lakh, a gold chain, two rings, a tulsi mala, mangalsutra, religious ornaments, a diamond set worth Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 25,000 in cash.
This is the fourth time Dr. Khandelwal’s home has been targeted by robbers since 2021, raising serious concerns about repeated security lapses. A complaint was lodged by his nephew, 58-year-old Tarun Khandelwal, also a resident of Khondagewadi.
Lonavala Police have registered a case and Inspector Suhas Jagtap is leading the investigation, with efforts underway to trace the accused.
