Pune Rickshaw Driver, Friends Rob Passenger to Fund Birthday Party

A birthday celebration in Pune allegedly took a criminal turn after four friends decided to fund the party through robbery - only to land behind bars within a day.

According to police, the incident occurred on February 23 in Pune. The group reportedly wanted to organise a grand birthday celebration for Amol Uttam Gaikwad but did not have enough money. Investigators said they then hatched a plan to rob a lone passenger at night.

Rickshaw ride turns into robbery

Police stated that one of the accused worked as an autorickshaw driver in the city and played a key role in the plan. The group allegedly decided to pick up a commuter travelling alone and divert him to a secluded location.

Construction worker Satyendra Mahato, 41, originally from Siwan in Bihar, reportedly became their target. Mahato hired a rickshaw from Swargate to Pune Station. During the ride, three other men allegedly entered the vehicle. Instead of heading to the station, the rickshaw was diverted to an isolated stretch.

At the secluded spot, police said the accused threatened Mahato and forced him to transfer Rs 25,000 online. After the money was transferred, he was allegedly let go.

Celebration cut short

Investigators said the group used the stolen money to host a birthday party the same night, reportedly involving heavy drinking. However, their celebration was short-lived.

Mahato promptly approached police and filed a complaint. A robbery case was registered at Bundgarden Police Station. During the investigation, officers examined CCTV footage from a petrol pump where the rickshaw had stopped, which helped identify the suspects.

Police arrested four accused - Ganesh Anna Jagadhane (29), Amol Uttam Gaikwad (32), Atul Ravindra Gaikwad (38) and Santosh Radhakishan Sarode (31), all residents of Dias Plot, Gultekdi.

Officials said the case was solved swiftly, turning what was meant to be a birthday party into a brief and costly brush with the law.