Nashik Police Nab Five Suspects in High-Stakes Abduction Case
In a significant development, the Nashik Rural police have apprehended five individuals in connection with the kidnapping and assault of a 35-year-old businessman, Sandeep Patil, from Nashik Road. The arrest follows a complaint filed by Patil at the Ghoti police station on January 9, 2025, which has since escalated into a complex investigation involving allegations of a massive theft of old currency notes.
Details of the Abduction and Assault
According to the official complaint, the incident began on October 20, 2025, when Patil received a threatening call from an individual identified as Jayesh Kadam. Kadam allegedly demanded that Patil meet his Gujarat-based employer, Virat Gandhi, or face severe consequences. Patil initially ignored the WhatsApp call, but on October 22, he received another call from the same person, instructing him to meet near Ghoti, approximately a few kilometers from Nashik.
Upon arriving at the designated location, Patil was forcibly taken into an SUV and assaulted by three to four men. During the ordeal, the assailants claimed that on the night of October 16, two container trucks transporting Rs 400 crore in old currency notes were stolen in Karnataka's Chorla Ghat area. They accused Patil of being involved, alleging that someone using his name had been calling their employer and demanding Rs 100 crore for the return of the stolen notes.
Patil vehemently denied any knowledge of the currency theft, after which he was pushed out of the vehicle. Later that same evening, the group contacted Patil again in the Nashik Road area, making a video call to their employer to show his face. They then concluded that he was not the person their boss had been receiving calls from. Despite this, Kadam continued to harass and threaten Patil, warning him against reporting the incident to the police.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Following Patil's complaint, the Ghoti police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 140(3) for kidnapping for wrongful confinement
- Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation
- Section 352 for intentional insult to provoke breach of peace
Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil stated that after the FIR was filed, the police arrested five suspects from various locations across the state. A special investigation team has been formed to delve deeper into the case, with the arrested individuals currently undergoing interrogation.
SP Patil emphasized that the police are working to uncover the true motives behind Patil's abduction and to verify the claims regarding the stolen Rs 400 crore in old currency notes. "In a day or two, the picture will be clearer, and we will be in a better position to tell why Sandeep Patil was abducted by the suspects and if Rs 400 crore in old currency notes were actually stolen in Karnataka," he told reporters.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
The case has drawn attention due to its connection to a potential high-value theft, raising questions about the security of currency transport and the involvement of organized crime. The police are focusing on determining whether the abduction was an isolated incident or part of a larger scheme related to the alleged currency theft.
As the investigation progresses, authorities aim to piece together the events leading to Patil's ordeal and ensure that justice is served. The arrest of the five suspects marks a crucial step, but the police acknowledge that more details are needed to fully understand the scope of the case and its implications for regional law enforcement efforts.
