New Delhi (Agency): A total of seven individuals have been apprehended by Mumbai police in connection with the robbery of a foreign exchange trader, who was relieved of Rs 75 lakh in a late August incident, according to an official statement.
The robbery transpired on August 28, when three men riding motorcycles targeted two employees transporting two bags of currency – one containing Rs 50 lakh and the other Rs 25 lakh – belonging to Dhaval Panchal, a foreign exchange trader operating in Malad.
The incident unfolded in the vicinity of Marve Road, close to the residence of Bhavik Patel, Panchal’s business partner. During the robbery, the perpetrators brandished a knife, instilling fear and facilitating the unlawful act.
Following the registration of a police case, an investigation ensued, leading authorities to focus on Prateek Bhojane, a 30-year-old employee who had been robbed during the incident. Investigators discovered that Bhojane had masterminded the robbery and enlisted individuals with prior criminal involvements to carry out the heist.
Among those taken into custody are Prateek Bhojane, along with six others identified as Akshay Gaikwad, Kunal Gaikwad, Naresh Rathod, Chhagan Gaikwad, Dinesh Indre, and Vinod Anchalkhamb. The collaboration of Indre, who aided Bhojane in devising the scheme, further complicated the investigation.
The apprehensions were made across multiple locations including Mumbai, Lonavala, Pune, Nashik, Raigad, and Jalna. Authorities have not ruled out additional arrests as the investigation progresses. The recovered sum includes Rs 15 lakh, with ongoing efforts to trace and retrieve the remainder.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Mumbai police are steadfastly working to bring all involved parties to justice and recover the full extent of the looted funds.