Man robbed of Rs1.8 lakh at Pune airport

The Airport police on Wednesday booked an unidentified person for allegedly stealing Rs1.8 lakh in cash from the luggage bag of Wardha-based businessman, Amar

Dipakrao Bhandarwar (33). The incident took place at the Lohegaon airport after he checked in his baggage to catch a Nagpur-bound flight on Tuesday.

The police said that Bhandarwar had kept Rs1.8 lakh in his bag, which he gave for scanning at the Indigo Airlines counter and procured his boarding pass.

Sub inspector AN Shahane said, “Bhandarwar realised the money was missing after reaching Nagpur airport on Tuesday morning. After that, he lodged a complaint at Sonegaon police station in Nagpur.

However, since Bhandarwar suspected that an unidentified person stole his cash at Pune airport, the case has been handed over to the Pune Airport police,” said Shahane.

“Bhandarwar told us that he had kept his cash in his bag from which it was stolen. So far, we have not got any clue,” said
Shahane. The police have written to the airport officials asking them for details of employees on duty that day, as well as CCTV footage of areas concerned.

Deputy general manager (operations), Pune airport Capt D Prasad said, “We received a report from the airline concerned in this incident. They say that they are unable to trace the suspect. As per the norms of the airline, the onus of carrying cash in the check-in baggage lies with the passenger,” he said.

Bhandarwar is a businessman and has been visiting the city regularly for business deals. On Monday, Bhandarwar had come to the city and was on his way to his native place in Nagpur on Tuesday after completing his business in Pune, when the incident occurred.