Kailas Ghate, branch manager of Lokmangal Cooperative Society in Dharashiv district, has been arrested by Naldurg police for orchestrating a fake robbery involving Rs 25 lakh. Ghate went as far as injuring himself to make the incident appear credible.
Superintendent of Police Ritu Khoker confirmed that the entire Rs 25 lakh was recovered, exposing Ghate’s attempt to simulate the robbery. Investigations revealed that Ghate had developed an addiction to online gaming and gambling, which led to heavy financial losses and personal debts totaling over Rs 12.5 lakh.
To cover his financial troubles, Ghate concocted a plan to steal Rs 25 lakh from his own bank branch and falsely report it as a robbery. According to police reports, Ghate claimed that two men on a motorcycle intercepted him near Chapala Tanda on National Highway 65 while he was carrying the cash to the bank’s Solapur head office. He alleged that the attackers used chilli powder to blind him and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing with the money.
Police scrutinized Ghate’s injuries and statements, finding discrepancies that prompted a deeper probe. Within 48 hours, authorities uncovered the truth: Ghate had fabricated the entire event and self-inflicted wounds to support his story. He was arrested and booked for staging the crime.
Further investigations are ongoing to determine if any other bank employees were involved or if Ghate acted alone.
