Karjat Police Crack Kidnapping and Robbery Case, Arrest Facebook Friend and Accomplice
In a swift operation, the Karjat police have successfully detected and cracked a kidnapping and robbery case involving a 61-year-old retired man from Nagpur. The breakthrough came with the arrest of a woman, whom the victim had befriended on Facebook, and a male accomplice. One additional male suspect remains at large as the investigation continues.
Victim and Accused Connected Through Ambedkarite Activism
The victim, who had retired from the administration section of Nagpur airport, and the arrested woman, identified as Aditi Dhoke (25), initially connected as both were activists within the Ambedkarite movement. Their online friendship on Facebook eventually led to a dangerous real-world encounter that culminated in criminal activities.
Police Investigation and Arrest Details
Umesh Patil, the police inspector of Karjat, provided detailed insights into the case. "The arrested accused are Aditi Dhoke (25) and Sushil Jadhav (29), both residents of Karjat taluka. Their accomplice, identified as Ganesh alias Mangesh Pradhan from Pune, is currently being traced and remains at large," stated Patil.
The investigation involved meticulous scrutiny of multiple CCTV camera footages from Kalyan station onwards, including footage from a petrol pump where the kidnappers refueled their vehicle. Advanced digital forensics played a crucial role, with police obtaining the IP address from Dhoke's Facebook account on her mobile device and tracking her mobile tower location to gather vital leads.
Dhoke and Jadhav were apprehended from different areas within Karjat taluka on Wednesday, within a remarkable 24-hour window after the First Information Report (FIR) was registered. The Karjat JMFC court has remanded both accused to police custody until Friday, March 13, allowing for further interrogation and evidence collection.
Complainant's Harrowing Ordeal Detailed in FIR
Sunil Gajghate, the complainant, detailed his traumatic experience in the FIR registered on March 10. He explained that he traveled to Pune to attend the farewell program of his friend, K K Dange, who was retiring from Pune airport. The following day, intending to visit his newly born grandson, daughter, and son-in-law in Nashik, he boarded the Deccan Queen train.
As Kalyan station was along the route, Gajghate contacted Dhoke, informing her that his train would arrive at 5.45 pm and suggesting they meet. She instructed him to meet at a sweet mart outside Kalyan station, where she arrived driving a car. After they began traveling together, she halted the vehicle, allowing two men to enter from both sides.
During the journey, one of the men held a chopper to Gajghate's neck, threatening to kill him. The assailants proceeded to snatch his gold chain, two rings, two mobile phones, and Rs 15,000 in cash, with the total valuation of the stolen items reaching approximately Rs 2.15 lakh.
Further adding to the ordeal, the woman halted the car at an ATM. Using Gajghate's debit and credit cards, she forcibly coerced him into revealing his ATM PINs and withdrew an undisclosed amount of cash. One of the men, who continued to threaten him with the chopper, falsely claimed to have five murder cases against him and warned Gajghate not to raise an alarm to avoid being killed.
The kidnappers then transported him to Dhoke's flat in Dahivali, Karjat, where he was confined against his will. In a daring escape, Gajghate managed to flee on March 9 around 6.30 am while the three kidnappers were asleep, ultimately leading to the registration of the FIR and the subsequent police action.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
This case highlights the potential dangers of online interactions translating into real-world threats, particularly through social media platforms like Facebook. The Karjat police's rapid response and use of technological tools, including CCTV analysis and digital tracking, were instrumental in solving the case swiftly.
Authorities are actively pursuing the remaining suspect, Ganesh alias Mangesh Pradhan, and continue to investigate the full extent of the criminal network involved. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about personal safety and the importance of vigilance in both digital and physical spaces.
