Four held in Rs 15.84lakh loot in Pandesara

SURAT: Four persons were arrested for their role in the Rs 15.84 lakh reported in Pandesara GIDC on October 13. The complainant of the loot has turned out to be the mastermind of the crime. He had tried to mislead police by claiming self as a victim. Of the arrested, two are employees of the same company and carried out the loot to teach a lesson to a senior.
Police arrested Munna alias Nandu Pande, 26, Pravin alias Bipin Patil, 27, Sagar alias Babloo alias Raju Dilip Khernar, 26, and Vijay alias Viju More, 25, for their alleged involvement in the loot.They recovered Rs 12 lakh in cash from the accused, who have spent rest of the amount. Pande and Patil are employees of Aakash Ganga dyeing mill where they carried out the loot.
Police investigation revealed that Pande and Patil were unhappy with Ravindra Mishra, manager of the mill in Pandesara GIDC, since his behaviour was not friendly. To teach a lesson to Mishra, they planned to thrash him around a month ago in association with Khernar and More. But while preparing they realized that they would have to spend Rs 25,000 to get him beaten by hired goons.
"Hence, the accused decided to carry out the loot and also thrash Mishra. But it would mean loss of their jobs. So, to tide over difficult days ahead, they decided to make some quick money with this loot," said M N Patel, assistant commissioner of police, F-division.
On the day of the loot, Pande, an accountant at Aakash Ganga, tipped the other accused. Pande went along with Mishra to collect cash from Sumit 1 Mill near Aakash Gang in Pandesara GIDC. Khernar and More attacked Pande and Mishra to loot the cash when they were returning. They then sprinkled chili powder in Mishra's eyes and hit him on head with steel rod, injuring him badly. After the loot, the accused went to Shirdi and then to Goa to celebrate.