Pune Doctor's Act of Kindness Ends in Violent Robbery
A 49-year-old homeopathic doctor from Katraj in Pune became the victim of a violent robbery on Wednesday night, after his professional dedication to treat patients was exploited by criminals. The assailants, posing as relatives of a sick patient, lured the medical practitioner to a location in Dhankawdi before assaulting him with a knife and stealing items worth approximately Rs 4.5 lakh.
The Deceptive Call and the Setup
According to Police Sub-Inspector Saddam Fakir of the Sahakarnagar police, the incident began with a phone call. The doctor, who runs a clinic in Balajinagar, received a call on Wednesday night from an unknown number. The caller claimed his mother was unwell and urgently requested a home visit. As the homeopath was closing his clinic, he agreed to visit the patient before heading home and took down the address.
He was directed to come near a commercial complex along the Pune-Satara road in Dhankawdi. Upon reaching the spot around 9:15 pm, he was met by two men who were waiting for him. They led him to the building's parking lot, where the situation turned violent.
Violent Assault and Theft of Valuables
The two suspects threatened the doctor with a knife. One of them then assaulted the victim, inflicting a knife wound on a finger of his left hand. The robbers then proceeded to steal his belongings. The doctor was carrying Rs 30,000 in cash and a silver jug worth Rs 1 lakh in his backpack. PSI Fakir explained that the victim's wife had given him the jug for repairs, and he was carrying it home after getting it fixed.
In addition to the cash and the jug, the duo snatched the doctor's cellphone and his moped before fleeing the scene. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at Rs 4.5 lakh.
Police Investigation Underway
The traumatized doctor approached the Sahakarnagar police station on Thursday and filed a formal complaint. The police have registered a case under section 309(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to voluntarily causing hurt while committing robbery.
Investigating officers have recovered CCTV footage from the vicinity of the crime scene. "The two robbers were captured on camera, but the image is not clear. We are working on some clues," stated PSI Fakir. The police are currently analyzing the available evidence to identify and apprehend the suspects who targeted the medical professional.
This shocking incident has highlighted the risks faced by healthcare workers who make home visits, especially during late hours, and serves as a cautionary tale about verifying the authenticity of emergency calls.
