During Pune’s Ganesh Visarjan celebrations, two men from Malegaon, Nashik, were arrested by the Faraskhana police for stealing mobile phones amid heavy festival crowds.
The thefts occurred in busy areas like Belbaug Chowk, Laxmi Road, and Budhwar Peth early Saturday morning. Numerous devotees reported missing phones, prompting a quick police response.
Acting on a tip-off, a special team led by Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme apprehended the suspects near Pasodya Vitthal Mandir. The accused, Aleem Mustaq Sheikh (26) and Attar Ahmed Ejaz Ahmed (25), were found in possession of 13 high-end mobile phones worth approximately Rs1.78 lakh. The stolen devices belonged to various brands and were taken from devotees in the crowded immersion processions.
Assistant Police Inspector Mehboob Mokashi, along with officers Tanaji Nangre, Nitin Telange, Gajanan Sonune, Mahesh Pawar, and Chetan Holkar, led the operation. The swift action was praised by senior officials, including Additional Commissioner of Police Rajesh Bansode and Deputy Commissioner Krishikesh Rawle.
