Kolhapur Gold Heist: Thief Makes Off with Rs 28 Lakh in Jewellery from Bungalow
In a shocking incident in Kolhapur, a thief has stolen gold jewellery weighing 195 grams, valued at approximately Rs 28 lakh, from a bungalow located near the Ramanmala post office. The theft occurred between January 31 and February 6, but it only came to light on Friday, February 9, when the victims attempted to retrieve their valuables.
Complaint Filed by Pune Resident
A formal complaint was lodged by Pushpa Raut, a 49-year-old resident of Pune, at the Shahupuri police station. According to police reports, Raut had traveled to Kolhapur to attend her niece's wedding, which was scheduled for February 7. She arrived in the city on January 31 with her family, bringing along about 290 grams of gold jewellery for the occasion.
Details of the Theft
Since the wedding was eight days away and the family was staying at a hotel, Raut entrusted the jewellery bag to her sister's daughter, Kalyani Bhalkar, for safekeeping in the house's locker. Additionally, Vedanti Doifode also gave a 15-gram jewellery bag to Bhalkar to store in the same locker.
On the eve of the wedding, when Raut visited her sister's house to collect the jewellery, she discovered that the bag was empty. Doifode also inquired about her jewellery, but it was missing as well. A thorough search of the house was conducted, but the jewellery could not be found.
Police Investigation and Suspicions
Ankush Karande, sub-inspector at the Shahupuri police station, provided details on the stolen items. "Pushpa Raut's jewellery included a gold necklace weighing 85 grams, four gold bangles weighing 45 grams, two gold bracelets weighing 35 grams, a necklace weighing 15 grams, and a ring weighing 5 grams," he stated. "Vedanti's jewellery comprised 10-gram earrings and a 5-gram ring. The thief targeted only gold jewellery, and there is no evidence of any damage or forced entry in the house."
Karande added, "We suspect that someone within the known network may have been involved in the theft. The lack of damage suggests the perpetrator had access or knowledge of the locker's contents." The police are currently investigating the case, focusing on potential insider involvement.
Key Points of the Incident
- Location: Bungalow near Ramanmala post office, Kolhapur.
- Timeframe: Theft occurred between January 31 and February 6.
- Discovery: Theft came to light on Friday, February 9.
- Value: Approximately Rs 28 lakh worth of gold jewellery.
- Weight: 195 grams of gold stolen.
- Victims: Pushpa Raut and Vedanti Doifode.
- Police Station: Shahupuri police station handling the case.
The incident has raised concerns about security in residential areas, especially during festive seasons when valuable items are often stored. Authorities are urging residents to take extra precautions with their belongings.
