Nagpur: Amid the presence of the entire State Government and big bosses in Nagpur for the Winter Session of the State Legislature, the Second Capital was rocked by a daring armed robbery on Wednesday night. A gang of five armed dacoits targeted a house in Jagdamba Nagar, Kapil Nagar, and made off with gold and cash worth ₹11.20 lakh, including ₹6 lakh in cash.
The Pandey family of Maa Jagdamba Nagar in Mhasala village on the outskirts of Nagpur fell victim to the audacious heist. The gang, speaking Hindi, broke into the first-floor drawing room by bending the window grills. Once inside, they looted 28 tolas of gold, silver ornaments, and cash. The masked dacoits also took the house owner, Rajesh Chhedilal Pandey (60), hostage at knifepoint in his own SUV, seizing all mobile phones in the house. They later abandoned the car along with the phones, releasing Pandey about 5 km away near Hanuman Dam, behind the Koradi temple.
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Remarkably, the dacoits refrained from taking the ornaments worn by Rajesh’s wife Kiran or daughter Shivani. Even the jewellery Rajesh himself was wearing was left untouched. The family noted the gang’s peculiar behaviour, including avoiding eye contact and even offering Rajesh a glass of water when he appeared panicked. The gang used two kitchen knives to threaten the family and carried an iron rod, presumably used to bend the balcony window grills.
A well-planned operation
Police suspect the gang had insider information about the family’s financial standing, as the dacoits specifically demanded the keys to two cupboards in the bedroom where valuables were stored. The gang even attempted to dismantle a sofa, suggesting they believed additional valuables were concealed inside. The family’s CCTV cameras were rendered useless as the recording device was taken by the dacoits.
After the gang left, Kiran and Shivani rushed to a relative’s house to seek help. Meanwhile, Rajesh, upon being released, alerted the police with assistance from a truck driver. The Nagpur police, already on high alert for the Assembly session, were shaken by the incident but relieved that no injuries occurred. Senior police officials have since instructed all stations to heighten vigilance and monitor suspicious activity closely.
The investigation
Zonal DCP Niketan Kadam stated that multiple teams have been deployed to crack the case. “We are working on several clues and suspect the involvement of local burglars within the gang,” he said. Investigators are reviewing nearby CCTV footage and coordinating with neighbouring police jurisdictions.
Details of the loot
The stolen items include:
• ₹6 lakh in cash
• Gold jewellery:
o 40-gram Rani Haar (₹1.20 lakh)
o 35-gram Mangalsutra (₹1.05 lakh)
o 15-gram gold necklace (₹45,000)
o Two gold bracelets weighing 60 grams (₹1.80 lakh)
• Silver jewellery worth ₹15,000
• Several electronic items, including the CCTV DVR
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC. Police are exploring the possibility that the gang is part of a well-organized network targeting affluent homes. However, no arrests have been made yet.
Community in fear
The daring heist has left not only the Pandey family but also the entire neighborhood in fear. Residents are questioning the security measures in place, especially with the heightened presence of government officials in the city.
This incident has highlighted vulnerabilities in the city’s law enforcement, even as Nagpur hosts critical Winter Session. The police’s ability to swiftly resolve the case will be under intense scrutiny as they race to apprehend the culprits and restore public confidence.
