Special Correspondent
Pune: A new modus operandi targeting gay individuals through the Grindr app has come to light, where perpetrators befriend victims, lure them to isolated locations, and rob them. The Mundhwa Police recently arrested two individuals involved in such a case.
The accused have been identified as Karran alias Carry (Bapu) Vishal Lacharkar (23, resident of Tadiwala Road) and Manish Babban Nimbalkar (21, resident of Gopalpatti, Manjri, originally from Ralegan Mhasoba, Ahmednagar district). According to the police, a young man was contacted by a user named “Bapu” on Grindr, a social networking app popular among the LGBTQ+ community. The suspect invited the victim to meet at Magarpatta, then took him on a two-wheeler to an open area near Lakshmi Lawns. There, Nimbalkar, who had already arrived, joined Lacharkar. The duo threatened the victim with death and forcibly snatched his gold chain before fleeing. The incident occurred on January 23 at 9 PM.
Initially, the victim hesitated to report the crime due to fears of societal stigma but approached the police two days later. Acting swiftly, Police Havaldar Vinod Salunke and his team apprehended Lacharkar within 24 hours of the complaint. During interrogation, Lacharkar revealed Nimbalkar’s involvement, leading to his arrest. Assistant Police Inspector Raju Mahanor is investigating the case, with contributions from officers including Vinod Salunke, Shivaji Jadhav, Yogesh Gaikwad, Rahul Dhotre, Raju Kadam, Akshay Dhumal, Swapnil Raskar, and Yogesh Raut.
This case mirrors a similar gang operation recently busted by Nanded City Police. In that instance, a group, including three minors, targeted gay men by luring them to secluded spots under false pretenses and robbing them at knifepoint. The main accused, Bharat Kishan Dhindale (18, resident of Muktai Heights, Sanghle Ghat, Dhayari), was detained after a 32-year-old hotelier filed a complaint regarding an incident on January 14 near DSK Vishwa School.
Authorities urge victims of similar crimes to come forward, assuring confidentiality and prompt action.
