Pune Ganeshotsav Theft: 15 Suspects Detained, Jewellery and Mobiles Worth Rs 35 Lakh Seized
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 27th September 2026: Vishrambaug police have detained 15 suspects accused of stealing gold jewellery, mobile phones and other valuables in crowds during Ganeshotsav and Ganpati immersion processions. Police said they seized property worth about ₹35 lakh after a 56-hour operation conducted between 7 a.m. on September 25 and 3 p.m. on September 27, 2026.
“Two modules of gang operating during visarjan time were caught. It is a major success of planning and learnings from last year,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale told Punekar News.
According to the Vishrambaug police, officers in plain clothes watched crowded areas and detained the suspects at different locations. Police said questioning linked them to thefts of chains, mangalsutras, jewellery from purses and mobile phones in the Vishrambaug area and elsewhere.
DCP Rawale said, “A total of 22 cases were detected, including 19 from Vishrambaug police station, which includes 15 gold-theft cases, three mobile-phone thefts and one pickpocketing case—three gold-theft cases at Faraskhana police station, and one case at Chandan Nagar police station. The statement does not explain the discrepancy.”
Police named five accused who were remanded in police custody until September 29: Santosh Kanhu Pawar, Jalindar Shayirao Waghmare, Sushant Shivaji Gaikwad, Gaffar Maula Sheikh and Sheikh Saibaj Sheikh Shafiq.
Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagtap and Police Inspectors Vikas Bhingardive and Ramesh Lahigude were among the officers who provided guidance.
The investigating team included Assistant Police Inspector Umesh Karke and Police Sub-Inspectors Satyawan Gend, Mehboob Mokashi and police personnel Sachin Kadam, Nitin Mundhe, Mahesh Kadam, Shailesh Surve, Sachin Ahiwale, Shashikant Darekar, Kailas Dukare, Zakir Maniyar, Anis Sheikh, Shivdatta Gaikwad, Firoz Inamdar, Sagar More, Arjun Thorat, Nitin Babar and Roshani Barde.
