Pune: Stone Crusher Owner Kidnaps Metro Contractor Over Rs 50 Lakh Dues, Arrested After Dramatic Chase

Pune, 16th April 2026: A metro project contractor was allegedly kidnapped in Pune for a ransom of Rs 50 lakh, with police rescuing him after a dramatic chase and arresting five accused.

According to police, the victim, a 40-year-old civil contractor associated with the metro project and a resident of Gahunje, was lured by an acquaintance on the pretext of showing him a stone crusher plant. The accused then confined him inside a container, assaulted him and demanded money over an old financial dispute.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sagar Dattatray Zhurunge (39), Vijay Suresh Walunj (38), Raju Vijaykumar Sahane (32), Rupesh Shivaji Gavade (38), all residents of Lonikand, and Prakash Balasaheb Raut (34) from Tulapur.

Police said the victim and the prime accused, Zhurunge, were known to each other, as the latter supplied crusher material for construction work, and around Rs 50 lakh was allegedly pending from the victim.

On April 13, Zhurunge contacted the contractor, saying he wanted to discuss work. The two met at a café in Kharadi on April 14, after which the accused suggested visiting a crusher plant. The contractor agreed and accompanied
them in a vehicle.

However, instead of heading to the plant, the accused took him to the Kharadi check-post area, where he was forced into a container. Several other accomplices were already present there. The victim was then threatened to immediately pay Rs 50 lakh, assaulted and his phone was switched off.

The accused later shifted him between vehicles and drove towards Ranjangaon via the Pune–Ahilyanagar highway, allegedly to mislead the police. During this time, they called the victim’s father and warned that he would not be released unless the ransom was paid.

The father immediately approached the police, following which the Kharadi police launched a search operation. Acting swiftly, officers tracked the suspect vehicle and set up a blockade near Vijay Stambh on the Pune-Ahilyanagar road.

The vehicle was intercepted, the contractor was rescued safely and all five accused were taken into custody. Police said further investigation is underway, adding that timely action helped avert a serious crime.