Nashik | by Mandaar Deshpande
In a major breakthrough, Nashik Crime Branch Unit-1 has cracked the sensational daylight robbery of ₹70 lakh (₹7 million) that had shocked the city. An interstate gang posing as police officers used a government beacon-fitted Innova SUV to abduct a businessman at gunpoint and rob him of ₹70 lakh in cash. Police have arrested four accused, including a woman, and recovered property worth ₹82.10 lakh.
The seizure includes ₹55.10 lakh in cash, the golden Toyota Innova fitted with a government beacon used in the crime, a revolver-like weapon, an MP5-style firearm, along with fake identity cards of the Income Tax Department, Home Department, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), and Railways, forged railway passes, and several counterfeit government rubber stamps. Police suspect the gang may have used these forged documents to execute similar crimes elsewhere.
How the Daring Robbery Unfolded
On July 8, 2026, two unidentified men and a woman arrived in a government beacon-fitted Innova on Dindori Road in Nashik’s Panchavati area. Introducing themselves as police officers, they forced the complainant into their vehicle at gunpoint.
The gang snatched ₹70 lakh in cash and the victim’s mobile phone, abused him, threatened to kill him, and later abandoned him on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway before fleeing. A case was subsequently registered at Panchavati Police Station.
Seven Special Teams, Technical Intelligence Led to the Breakthrough
Considering the gravity of the crime, Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kirankumar Chavan, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke directed an immediate investigation and ordered the Crime Branch to trace the unidentified suspects.
Acting under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Dr. Anchal Mudgal, Police Sub-Inspectors Chetan Shrivant, Dattatray Pote, and Rameez Shaikh formed seven dedicated investigation teams.
Using a combination of human intelligence, technical analysis, confidential inputs, and scientific examination of circumstantial evidence, investigators established the identity of one of the accused through digital evidence.
Police later received specific intelligence that one suspect was expected to arrive at Nashik Road Railway Station. A trap was laid, but the accused had already returned to Mumbai. The investigation then expanded across Jogeshwari, Andheri, Dombivli, and Vasai-Virar, where officers relentlessly tracked the suspects despite their constant movement, ultimately arresting all four.
Arrested Accused
- Umashankar Premshankar Verma (40), resident of Ramnagar, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Sujitkumar Rajkishore Dubey (32), resident of Moti Nagar, Sindri, Dhanbad district, Jharkhand
- Nilesh Ashok Paka (27), resident near Mahakali Temple, Nagebandar, Vasai
- Sangeeta Hansraj Ahire (43), resident of Konark Nagar, Nashik; originally from Jalgaon
During interrogation, all four accused confessed to their involvement in the crime.
Police Appeal to Citizens
Police believe the gang may have committed similar offences by using forged government identity cards and fake official credentials. Citizens who suspect they have been cheated in a similar manner are urged to contact Crime Branch Unit-1, Nashik City.
Officers and Personnel Honoured for the Successful Investigation
1. Technical Analysis Team
Police Sub-Inspector Chetan Shrivant, Police Head Constables Mahesh Salunke, Rahul Palkhede, Appa Panwal, and Mukhtar Shaikh.
2. Undercover Arrest Team
Police Sub-Inspector Dattatray Pote, Head Constables Vishal Kathe, Prashant Markad, Milindsing Pardeshi, Uttam Pawar, Police Constable Ram Barde, Goraksh Sabale, Sunil Bhosale, Woman Police Constable Anuja Yelve, Sukam Pawar, and Mushrif Shaikh.
3. Recovery Team
Police Sub-Inspector Rameez Shaikh, Head Constables Vishal Devre, Nazimkhan Pathan, and Woman Police Constable Manisha Sarode.
4. Cyber Investigation Team
Assistant Police Inspector Vishwas Chavhanke, Sameer Chandramore, Dipak Divate, Dhananjay Shinde, and Kailas Chavan.
5. Intelligence Team
Yogiraj Gaikwad, Amol Koshti, Sharmila Kokani, and Leela Sukate.
6. Surveillance (Reconnaissance) Team
Pravin Waghmare, Manoj Dongre, Devidas Thakre, Ramesh Koli, Ravindra Adhav, Pradeep Mhasde, and Samadhan Pawar.
7. QRT Armed Unit
Police Sub-Inspector Sunil Chavan and the Quick Response Team (QRT).
The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kirankumar Chavan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Chandrakant Gawali, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sandeep Mitke. The investigation was led by Senior Police Inspector Dr. Anchal Mudgal of Crime Branch Unit-1, Nashik City, along with the above-mentioned officers and personnel.
