During the grand Ganesh Visarjan procession in Pune, a large-scale mobile theft operation was uncovered, with over 300 mobile phones being stolen from citizens in the midst of the festive crowds. The thefts were reported at various police stations across the city, including Faraskhana, Vishrambaug, Khadak, and Samarth.
Among these stations, Vishrambaug Police Station saw the highest number of incidents, with 91 mobile phones being stolen along the main procession route. As one of the most significant festivals in the city, the Ganesh Visarjan procession attracts a massive crowd, making it a prime opportunity for thieves to operate.
Despite the heavy police presence and public announcements cautioning the public about the risk of theft, many mobile phones were still stolen, particularly along Laxmi Road, which saw some of the highest footfall. In total, 25 theft cases were reported during the 10-day festival, with most occurring on the day of the Visarjan itself.
The police quickly took action and managed to apprehend two members of a mobile theft gang hailing from Madhya Pradesh and Nashik. The individuals, identified as Faizal Aziz Khan (22) from Nashik and Kalu Raju Parkh from Madhya Pradesh, were arrested by the Faraskhana Police. The police also recovered 21 stolen mobile phones, valued at Rs2.79 lakh, from their possession. The operation was led by Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme and his team, who worked tirelessly to track down the culprits.
According to Senior Police Inspector Prashant Bhasme, such theft gangs often infiltrate the city during major festival seasons, taking advantage of large gatherings to steal valuables. “They typically discard the SIM cards of the stolen phones to avoid detection,” he explained.
Additionally, the Faraskhana Police made further arrests in connection with the thefts, including a group of women from Nashik. The women, identified as Geeta Venkatesh Khatti (20) and Pooja Praveen Gazhu (24), were involved not only in mobile theft but also jewelry thefts in Navi Mumbai. The police team, led by Assistant Police Inspector Vaibhav Sonawane, Sub-Inspector Arvind Shinde, Gajanan Sonune, and Rekha Raut, uncovered the women’s involvement in a wider network of thefts.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to dismantle the theft rings that target large public events and are urging the public to stay vigilant, especially during crowded celebrations.
