Pune: In a disturbing incident near RTO Chowk in Pune, a 38-year-old man was lured through a gay dating app and later assaulted and robbed by a group of four individuals. The crime occurred on March 18 around 6 PM, and all four accused have now been arrested by Bund Garden Police.
The accused have been identified as Lalsaheb Shaikh, Gaura Javed Shaikh, Shinu Vyankappa Nayak (22), Sohail Gafur Shaikh (24), all are residents of Mangalwar Peth.
According to the complaint filed at Bund Garden Police Station, the victim had connected with one of the accused on a dating app called “Grindm”, where the accused used a fake profile under the name “Shahrukh Top.” The two agreed to meet near a petrol pump close to RTO Chowk. The accused led the victim through a deserted path via a railway track and a gap in a compound wall, eventually reaching a secluded area.
As they were about to engage in physical activity, three others who were hiding nearby ambushed the victim. They filmed the encounter on a mobile phone and used the footage to blackmail and threaten him. The assailants beat him, took his debit card, mobile phone, vehicle key, and demanded his ATM PIN.
One of the accused withdrew ₹9,500 from an ATM using the stolen card. They then demanded an additional ₹10,000, but the victim refused. The man posing as “Shahrukh Top” returned and joined the group in physically assaulting the victim again, using a wooden stick. The victim sustained serious injuries to his face, back, and shoulder.
Based on information gathered by constables Pradip Shitole, Saras Salvi, Prakash Awhad, Dnyaneshwar Bade, and Manoj Bhokre, the suspects were identified and arrested. The police also recovered cash linked to the robbery.
The case was investigated under the supervision of senior officers including Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Pravin Kumar Patil, Deputy Commissioner Smarta Patil, Assistant Commissioner Deepak Nikam, Senior Inspector Ravindra Gaikwad, and Inspector (Crime) Samparao Raut.
The arresting team comprised Sub-Inspector Swapnil Lohar, Mohan Kale, Pradip Shitole, Prakash Awhad, Saras Salvi, Dnyaneshwar Bade, Manoj Bhokre, Mahesh Jadhav, and Shivaji Sarkar.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of robbery and criminal intimidation. The investigation is ongoing.
