Gold Chain and Mangalsutra Heists Foiled as UP Gang Nabbed in Pune

A multi‑state criminal outfit from Uttar Pradesh was exposed by Pune police after it repeatedly targeted worshippers during the Ganesha immersion. The gang’s modus operandi involved surrounding unsuspecting devotees, brandishing an iron cutter, and snipping gold chains or mangalsutras from around their necks.

The latest incident involved Sagar Prakash Komti, who on September 25 was confronted by six men near Wednesday Chowk’s Bellbag area. The attackers seized his phone, physically assaulted him and threatened him with a knife before cutting the gold chain from his neck. The stolen jewellery alone was valued at over ₹1.46 lakh.

A confidential tip pointed investigators to six individuals from Islampur Ghasoli village in Shamli district. Acting on this intelligence, officers apprehended Vijaypal Kanwar Singh, 34, and recovered more than 139 grams of gold jewellery, a mobile phone, a sharp knife and the cutting tool used in the heists. The total haul exceeded ₹21 lakh.

Further probing revealed twelve other similar thefts, indicating a pattern of exploiting large crowds at religious events. Police have warned that the gang specifically selects high‑traffic locations where quick access to jewellery is possible. The crackdown underscores a heightened focus on safeguarding pilgrims and festival-goers from organized theft networks.