Pune Police Detain Two in Mistaken Identity Robbery Case at Agriculture College Chowk
In a surprising turn of events, the Shivajinagar police in Pune detained a worker and a civil contractor on Monday for allegedly beating up a 32-year-old man from Kasba Peth and robbing him of Rs28,000 at Agriculture College Chowk around 9.15 pm. The incident, which initially appeared to be a violent robbery, was later revealed to be a case of mistaken identity, with the robbery charges also being raised by mistake.
Violent Altercation at Fuel Station Leads to Confusion
Senior inspector Girish Dighavkar of Shivajinagar police provided detailed insights into the case. The victim, a resident of Kasba Peth whose father works as a civil contractor, had visited an ATM kiosk on FC Road near Agriculture College Chowk with his friend. During this time, the victim withdrew Rs28,000 from the ATM unit.
Simultaneously, a fight erupted at a nearby fuel station where the two detained men had gone to fill petrol in their motorcycle. The altercation involved the detained men and a fuel station attendant over queue-related issues at the station. In the chaos, the fuel station attendant fled the scene and reached outside the ATM kiosk where the complainant's friend was standing.
Mistaken Identity Unravels Through CCTV Footage
As the complainant exited the ATM kiosk, the two detained men mistakenly believed that the fuel station attendant had called for backup to assault them. Acting on this assumption, the duo proceeded to beat up both the complainant and his friend. During the scuffle, the cash fell onto the road, which the complainant's friend quickly picked up before fleeing the spot.
The friend later handed the cash to the complainant's father and returned home without providing any explanation about the incident. Following the assault, the victim approached the police station to file a complaint, and his statement was officially recorded by the authorities.
However, the investigation took a significant turn when police examined CCTV footage from the area. By studying footage from both the fuel station and the ATM unit, officers were able to identify the motorcycle's registration number used by the duo to speed away from the scene. This crucial evidence led investigators to realize that the entire incident stemmed from a case of mistaken identity rather than a premeditated robbery.
Police Investigation Clarifies Misunderstood Circumstances
The thorough police investigation revealed that the detained men had no intention of robbing the victim. Their violent actions were driven by the mistaken belief that the victim and his friend were associates of the fuel station attendant involved in the earlier altercation. This misunderstanding resulted in unnecessary violence and temporary robbery allegations that were subsequently clarified through careful evidence examination.
This case highlights the importance of thorough police investigation and technological evidence like CCTV footage in clarifying complex situations that might initially appear straightforward. The Pune police's diligent work prevented potential miscarriages of justice while addressing public safety concerns in the city.
