Six Arrested, Including Police Constables, for Looting ₹1.5 Crore from Jewellers in Raigad

Navi Mumbai, February 11, 2025: In a shocking case of betrayal, the Raigad police have arrested six individuals, including three police constables, for allegedly looting ₹1.5 crore from two jewellers with a fake gold offer. The police have recovered the entire looted amount, but two other suspects, including another constable, remain at large.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Samadhan Pinjari, 20, a private firm employee and the mastermind behind the heist; Shivkumar alias Deepak Gaikwad; Vishal Pinjari, 20; Akshay Khot, 25; and police constables Sameer Mahtre, 34, and Vicky Sable, 25. The absconding suspects include Shankar Kule and police constable Suryavanshi.

According to the police, in mid-January, Samadhan Pinjari approached Namdev Hulge, a Nagpur-based jeweller, with an offer of 7 kg of gold available for ₹5 crore. Lured by the offer, Hulge contacted Omkar Waksha, a jeweller from Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, to discuss how to raise the funds to buy the gold.

On February 4, Hulge, Waksha, and an employee, Nitin Punjari, travelled to Alibag with ₹1.5 crore in cash, having gathered ₹65 lakh and ₹85 lakh respectively. However, upon reaching Alibag, they were tricked into switching to another vehicle driven by Deepak Gaikwad, who claimed it was to evade police checks.

Once in the new vehicle, two constables, Mahtre and Sable, appeared and began questioning the jewellers, eventually taking off with both the jewellers and the cash. The next day, the jewellers received a call from constable Suryavanshi, who attempted to intimidate them into not filing a complaint by accusing them of stealing ₹2 crore and threatening them with arrest.

On February 7, the jewellers reported the fraud to the Raigad police, prompting Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge to order an immediate investigation. The Poynad police station then registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The arrested individuals have been remanded in police custody until February 14. Police efforts are ongoing to apprehend the absconding suspects.

The incident highlights growing concerns about corruption and criminal activities involving law enforcement personnel. Authorities have pledged to continue their investigation and ensure justice for the victims.