Pune: In a shocking breach of trust, an artisan working at a jewellery workshop in Pune’s bustling Ganesh Peth market fled with 111 grams of 22-carat gold valued at approximately ₹15.99 lakh. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local bullion and goldsmith trade community.
Incident Details
Rajkumar Sudhakar Mandal, a resident of Nana Peth, operates a jewellery manufacturing unit named ‘Karunamayi Matru Goldsmith’ near Pangul Ali Chowk in Ganesh Peth. For the past three years, Mandal employed Jaydeep Uttam Maji (29), a native of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, as a trusted artisan.
On September 10, the workshop received an order from the reputed Ranka Jewellers to craft four necklaces using 211 grams of gold. Mandal handed over the gold to Jaydeep to execute the work. However, around 11:00 AM on September 12, Jaydeep left the shop abruptly without informing anyone.
The Discovery
Around 1:00 PM, noticing Jaydeep’s prolonged absence, the shop owner inspected his workbench and drawer. A search revealed only 100 grams of gold remaining, while an unworked 111-gram ingot of 22-carat gold, valued at nearly ₹16 lakh, was missing.
Brazen Confession Over Phone
Jaydeep reportedly fled straight to his native village in West Bengal. When contacted by Mandal via phone, the accused brazenly admitted to the theft, claiming he took the bullion because he “needed the money.” After efforts to recover the valuables through his relatives proved futile, Mandal approached law enforcement to prevent the accused from selling off the gold.
Police Action
Following Mandal’s formal complaint, Faraskhana Police registered an offence (Crime No. 345/2026) against Jaydeep Uttam Maji at the Ganesh Peth police chowki under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Assistant Police Inspector Lala Lonkar of Faraskhana Police Station is currently leading the investigation.