Pune, June 25 – In a major security operation, Pune City Police have dismantled several gangs involved in coordinated thefts during the recent Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Palkhi processions. These processions, a part of Maharashtra’s centuries-old Wari pilgrimage, attract lakhs of devotees every year.
The culprits had allegedly used the large gatherings as cover to engage in systematic theft of mobile phones, gold ornaments, and other personal belongings. The accused posed as fellow pilgrims, taking advantage of the crowd density to execute their crimes discreetly.
Following an increase in theft complaints between June 20 and 24, law enforcement deployed special surveillance teams along key stretches of the Wari route. As a result, 24 individuals were apprehended in connection with the incidents. Among them were repeat offenders, some with criminal backgrounds across state lines.
Senior officials stated that the gangs had entered Pune from various parts of Maharashtra and nearby regions, having selected the religious event as an opportunity to carry out thefts on a large scale. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that several suspects were caught in the act by plainclothes officers stationed in high-risk zones.
Recovered items included over 70 mobile phones, cash, and gold ornaments valued at more than ₹14 lakh. The seized items are currently being catalogued, with efforts underway to return them to rightful owners through identification and verification.
“These gangs often follow major events where there are massive crowds and minimum personal security. We increased our deployment this year with focused surveillance and succeeded in catching multiple offenders,” said a senior officer from Pune’s Crime Branch.
To facilitate tracking, authorities also used CCTV footage, mobile tracking, and manual patrolling. Specific checkpoints were set up along the route for random inspections. Additionally, coordination with the cybercrime team played a crucial role in locating stolen devices.
Police have appealed to pilgrims to avoid carrying high-value items during such processions in the future. Organizers of the Palkhi have also committed to working more closely with local authorities to raise awareness about safety and theft prevention during upcoming Wari events.
Public reaction to the arrests has been largely positive, with many expressing gratitude to the police for acting swiftly and preventing further incidents. The incident, however, has reignited discussions around crowd control and safety management during large-scale religious gatherings in urban areas.
