Burglars steal from Padma awardee, splurge on GFs, extravagant parties

Nagpur: A gang of young burglars, who had been targeting homes across Nagpur to splurge on girlfriends, extravagant parties, and addictions, was busted on Thursday for stealing valuables from several houses, including the residence of eminent economist and Padma Shri awardee Prof Sukhadeo Thorat in Dabha under Gittikhadan police station jurisdiction, in December last year.The prime accused, 19-year-old Sahil Lanjewar, along with accomplices, confessed to spending the stolen cash and jewellery on a lavish lifestyle. Lanjewar was arrested by assistant PI Gajanan Chambhare under senior inspector Shubhangi Deshmukh, with the investigation overseen by DCP (Crime) Rahul Maknikar, ACP Abhijit Patil, and additional CP Vasant Pardeshi.The probe began after a burglary on December 11 at Ritesh Shukla's home in Netaji Housing Society, Gorewada, Mankapur. While the family was away in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, thieves broke in, stealing Rs 65,000 cash, gold and silver ornaments, car keys, and other items totalling Rs5.74 lakh. A case was filed at Mankapur police station.Following leads and technical investigation, Sahil Lanjewar (19) was apprehended from Dakhani Mohalla under Wadi police limits. He named accomplices including Rishikesh alias Rishi Ganesh Mankar (21), Abhijit Nitnaware (22), Rishi Nagdeve (22), Sagar, Piyush, and Sangharsh. While Lanjewar and Mankar are in custody, the others remain on the run.Police recovered gold bars, ornaments, silver items, two mobile phones, a scooter without a number plate, and Rs5,050 cash, totalling Rs4.19 lakh. Notably, gold worth nearly Rs3 lakh and two silver glasses stolen from Prof Thorat's home were seized, with CCTV footage confirming the gang's involvement.Lanjewar admitted the gang carried out nine burglaries across Nagpur, including two in Gittikhadan, one in Wathoda, one in Beltarodi, and four in rural Parsheoni. The arrested accused have been handed over to Mankapur police, while a manhunt continues for the remaining accused.