Pune / Pimpri-Chinchwad: In a startling turn of events, a sales consultant at the B.U. Bhandari showroom, identified as Shirish Vijay Bhalshankar, has allegedly duped the dealership of Rs 5 lakh through a deceptive car transaction. The incident came to light when the showroom manager, Rahul Khandve, filed a complaint at Hinjewadi police station, prompting an investigation into the matter.
According to the police report, the fraudulent transaction unfolded at the B.U. Bhandari showroom, located in front of the Sayaji Hotel in Wakad. On July 21, a woman booked an MG Gloster car valued at Rs 48 lakh, making an initial payment of Rs 2 lakh. Anticipating delivery in September 2023, the customer regularly deposited 43 lakh and 24 thousand rupees in the showroom account in multiple instalments.
Upon arriving to collect the car on September 21, the customer was informed of the remaining payment amounting to Rs 4 lakh, 84 thousand, 191. Sales consultant Shirish Bhalshankar, responsible for the transaction, took the guarantee of the customer and obtained the signature of sales manager Gajendra Desai on the car file, pledging to settle the outstanding amount in the next 2–3 days.
Suspicion arose when the showroom required the accountant’s signature on the gate pass. Shirish Bhalshankar, taking advantage of the situation, signed the gate pass himself and handed over the car to the customer. Subsequent attempts to collect the remaining payment revealed that the customer had already handed over Rs 5 lakh in cash to Bhalshankar.
Upon inquiry, Bhalshankar admitted to utilising the cash for personal expenses and claimed to have deposited a mere Rs 49 thousand back into the company. He assured the company that the remaining amount would be reimbursed within 2 days. However, as the promised payment failed to materialise, B.U. Bhandari showroom filed a formal complaint with the police against him.
The investigation is currently being led by Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Khadke.
