Karnataka businessman held captive for days in Thane hotels, robbed of Rs 2 cr at gunpoint
Thane (PTI): Police have arrested a man after he allegedly tricked a Karnataka-based businessman into visiting Maharashtra's Thane district on the promise of investment in his firm, and was robbed of over Rs 2 crore at gunpoint after holding him captive in multiple hotels, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place between December 15 and 18, 2025, and the main accused in the case, Ankit Bapu Thombre (40), a resident of Manpada in Thane, was arrested on January 6, an official said.
The arrest was made by the Crime Branch Unit-I of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate, ACP (Crime) Madan Ballal said.
"The victim, identified as Shamantkumar Shadak Sharappa Karder (31), a businessman from Shimoga in Karnataka, received a call on December 15, 2025, from a man, who identified himself as Ankit. The latter expressed interest in investing in his company," he said.
ALSO READ: BJP's Suvendu seeks legal action against Mamata for 'interfering' in ED's job, party hits out at CM
"Trusting his proposal, the complainant travelled to Kashimira in Thane district. However, the accused took him to three different hotels between December 15 and 18 and held him captive there," ACP Ballal said.
The accused threatened the businessman with a pistol, while his accomplice wielded a knife. They forcibly obtained the victim's net banking ID and password. Using these details, they made unauthorised online transactions amounting to Rs 2,17,63,287 from the complainant's current bank account," he added.
Based on the complaint, the Kashimira police registered an FIR on January 2, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder and wrongful confinement, along with sections of the Arms Act, against Thombre and his accomplices.
"During the investigation, police found that the accused had tried to conceal his identity by using a mobile number from the United Kingdom. But despite that, the police identified the main accused and finally arrested him from Shil Phata near Navi Mumbai," Ballal added.
Police also seized a sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by the accused in the crime, he said.
The police are now looking for his accomplices, the official said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
