In a surprising revelation, Pune police have uncovered that a jeweller staged a daring daylight robbery at his own shop in a bid to escape mounting financial difficulties. Vishnu Sakharam Dahiwal, the owner of Shri Jewellers in Kalubai Chowk, Wadgaon Dhayari, was initially believed to be the victim of a robbery on April 15, when he reported that three masked men entered his store, threatened him with a gun, and fled with 220 grams of gold jewellery worth Rs20 lakh.
However, during the investigation, police noticed several inconsistencies in Dahiwal’s story. With the help of CCTV footage and technical analysis, the crime branch and Nanded City Police tracked down three suspects: Dilip Subhash Mandlik (32), Dahiwal’s relative from Dighi, and two others, Rajesh alias Raju Galphade (40) and Sham Sheshrao Shinde (37), residents of Bhosari’s Landewadi slums.
Upon arrest, it was revealed that the gold ornaments the suspects had were fake, and the gun used during the supposed robbery was a toy. Investigators soon learned that Dahiwal had been facing severe financial pressure due to losses in the stock market and his jewellery business. To avoid repaying loans from local businessmen, Dahiwal allegedly conspired with Mandlik to stage the robbery. He reportedly paid Mandlik Rs10,000 in advance and promised him an additional Rs2 lakh after the robbery.
The plan unfolded as intended, with Dahiwal filing a false police complaint. However, as the evidence stacked up, Dahiwal confessed to orchestrating the fake heist. He is expected to be formally arrested, with all three suspects currently in police custody until April 23 as the investigation continues.
Senior Inspector Atul Bhos from Nanded City Police Station confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that Dahiwal will face charges for his involvement in the crime.
