Nashik (Correspondent): A goldsmith operating a small jewelry-making shop in the Makhmalabad Naka area of Panchavati has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating gold ornaments worth ₹10 lakh. The suspect, identified as Amit Bhuniya, is accused of stealing approximately 10 tolas (₹7 lakh) of gold jewelry from a local woman, along with an additional ₹3 lakh worth of ornaments from other women.
Following the complaint filed by Sangita Malve, a resident of Khandve Nivas in Makhmalabad Naka, the Panchavati Police registered a case on February 3. Malve had entrusted Bhuniya, a goldsmith working near her residence, with gold for crafting jewelry. Since he lived in the area on a rental basis, he had gained the trust of local residents. Exploiting this trust, he allegedly took pure gold from multiple women under the pretense of making jewelry and subsequently absconded.
Upon investigation, the Crime Branch’s Unit-1 team, comprising Sub-Inspector Bagul, Sandeep Bhand, and Praveen Waghmare, gathered intelligence indicating that Bhuniya had fled to his native place in Rabidaspur, West Medinipur, West Bengal. Acting on this information, a police team, with the assistance of local authorities, apprehended the suspect.
Authorities suspect that further offenses may be linked to the accused, and an in-depth investigation is underway.
