In a startling turn of events, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) workers have been apprehended in connection with the firing incident targeting a gold trader on BT Kawade Road. The incident, which unfolded on November 8, has exposed a web of criminal activities involving individuals employed on a contractual basis for PMC’s garbage collection vehicle. As the investigation progresses, another crime linked to the arrested individuals has come to light.
The victim of the targeted attack is Prateek Madanlal Oswal, a 30-year-old gold trader and resident of Mundhwa, who owns a bullion shop in the Syednagar area of Hadapsar. The incident occurred as Prateek and his father were returning home after closing their shop around 9:30 PM. The gang, consisting of Sarfaraz Shaikh (23), Lakhan Ankoshi (35), and Rafiq Shabbir Sheikh (30), intercepted Prateek on BT Kawade Road, fired a bullet in his direction, and fled with the stolen gold.
The swift action of law enforcement, aided by CCTV footage analysis, led to the apprehension of the culprits.
The shocking twist in the case reveals that the arrested individuals—Sarfaraz Shaikh, Lakhan Ankoshi, and Rafiq Shabbir Sheikh—were employed on a contractual basis for a waste collection truck operated by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Driven by a quest for quick money, the trio devised a plan to rob the bullion merchant. Initially targeting Oswal’s shop in Syednagar on the same night, they abandoned the plan due to the presence of a crowd. Subsequently, they pursued Oswal, who was on his two-wheeler after closing the shop, and carried out the robbery at gunpoint.
Upon interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in the crime, revealing that the motive was financial gain. The trio, who are reportedly friends, is currently in custody as the investigation delves into their broader criminal activities.
The arrest was made by a dedicated team under the guidance of Additional Commissioner Ramnath Pokle, Deputy Commissioner Amol Zende, and Police Inspector Mahesh Bolkotgi.
