Accused allegedly stole gold jewellery using fake religious charity ruse in Mumbai
The accused, Prakash Kale, and Ajay Pawar. Pic/By Special Arrangement
The MHB police have arrested two habitual offenders allegedly linked to the notorious ‘Kale-Pawar Gang’, known across Maharashtra for cheating elderly women by posing as religious benefactors and using sleight-of-hand tricks to steal gold jewellery.
Police said the duo targeted elderly women wearing gold ornaments. They would spin an emotional tale, claiming a wealthy businessman had been blessed with a child after fulfilling a religious vow and was now distributing clothes and essential items to the needy. The victims were told the benefactor helped only the poor and would not give charity to anyone wearing gold.
Using this excuse, the accused convinced the women to remove their jewellery. In a swift switch, the ornaments were replaced with small packets — often filled with stones — before the duo fled with the gold.
Senior citizen duped
The latest case was reported on Sunday after a 70-year-old woman, Qutbunnisa Khan, was stopped by the accused in Ganpat Patil Nagar while on her way to the market. The duo narrated their fabricated story and offered to help her receive rations and other goods.
Noticing that Khan was wearing two gold earrings, they told her she would be disqualified from receiving charity if she wore gold. Trusting them, she removed her earrings. The accused wrapped them in a handkerchief, returned the bundle to her, and walked with her for a short distance before pointing towards a shop and fleeing.
When Khan reached the spot, she found no such shop or donation drive. On opening the handkerchief, she found stones instead of her earrings and immediately complained to the MHB police station.
Over 20 cases
Police sources said the accused have more than 20 cheating cases registered against them across Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Investigations have also revealed that several of their family members are involved in similar frauds. Last year, the MHB police arrested Pawar’s mother, Lata Pawar, and his brother-in-law, Sameer Beg, in connection with identical cases.
The accused are natives of Parbhani district and currently live in makeshift huts along footpaths in Mumbai. They often pose as members of the Banjara community to avoid suspicion. “They treat cheating as a profession. Even after arrest, they are extremely uncooperative in the recovery of stolen jewellery,” a senior police officer said.
Police action
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Acting under the guidance of DCP Sandeep Jadhav and senior inspector Harish Gavali, detection officers PSI Sandeep Gorade and Nilesh Patil analysed CCTV footage and traced the accused to Charkop, where they were detained and later formally arrested.
The duo was produced before a court on Monday and remanded to two days of police custody. Further investigation is underway to trace more victims and recover stolen jewellery.
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