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Mahindra Thar Purchase Tied to Alleged Gold Theft in Kolhapur

By Drooid · · How we work

Core Incident: Alleged Theft and Vehicle Purchase

Police say 19-year-old Samar Popat Chavan, a diploma-engineering student from Satve village, stole gold jewellery belonging to his uncle Umesh Maruti Chavan. The jewellery was sold to local goldsmith Sangram Babaso More for INR10 lakh, and the proceeds were used to buy a Mahindra Thar SUV. After the vehicle arrived, Samar invited Umesh to a puja ceremony, during which the uncle discovered the missing ornaments and filed a complaint. Both Samar and Sangram were taken into custody.

Man Steals Uncle's Gold To Buy Thar, Invites Him To Its Puja, Gets Arrested Man steals uncle's gold, uses money to buy car, invites him for vehicle's puja Maharashtra man steals 15 tolas of uncle’s gold to buy new Thar, arrested after inviting him to car's puja Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house Teen Steals Uncle's Gold, Buys Thar With The Money, Invites Him To Celebrate Hindustan Times

Background & Context

The incident unfolded in a joint-family household. Police noted that Samar had a history of minor thefts that had previously been overlooked. His father is employed as a peon, and Samar had no documented source of income capable of financing an SUV purchase.

CNN-News18

Key Figures

  • Samar Popat Chavan – 19-year-old accused of stealing gold and purchasing the Mahindra Thar.
CNN-News18
  • Umesh Maruti Chavan – Uncle and victim; owner of the stolen jewellery.
Man steals uncle's gold, uses money to buy car, invites him for vehicle's puja
  • Sangram Babaso More – Goldsmith who bought the alleged stolen gold and is charged as a co-accused.
Maharashtra man steals 15 tolas of uncle’s gold to buy new Thar, arrested after inviting him to car's puja
  • Shrikant Thikane – Probationary DSP leading the Kodoli police investigation.
Hindustan Times

Timeline

  • September 20 – October 18 – Period during which the theft is said to have occurred.
CNN-News18
  • October 19 – Case registered at Kodoli police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Hindustan Times
  • Early October – Police linked the SUV purchase to the theft, interrogated Samar, and arrested both suspects.
CNN-News18

Data & Statistics

  • Estimated jewellery value: INR14.5 lakh (police) versus INR10 lakh sale price recorded by the goldsmith.
Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house
  • Vehicle cost: Mahindra Thar purchased for INR10 lakh.
Hindustan Times
  • Total seized assets: Gold, the SUV, and cash, valued at INR30.51 lakh.
Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house

Official Statements & Responses

Probationary DSP Shrikant Thikane said investigators grew suspicious after learning that Samar bought an expensive SUV despite his father’s modest peon salary. Bank records showed a INR3.4 lakh deposit into Samar’s account and a INR10 lakh payment to the goldsmith. Police reported that both suspects confessed after being confronted with CCTV footage and financial evidence. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the investigation continues.

Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house

Conflicting Reports & Gaps

  • Gold weight: Sources differ between 150 g and 174.96 g.
Teen Steals Uncle's Gold, Buys Thar With The Money, Invites Him To Celebrate
  • Valuation: Police cite INR14.5 lakh, while the goldsmith’s sale price is INR10 lakh.
Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house

Verbatim Quotes

  • “Initially, he claimed the money came from share trading, but he failed to provide any proof. Examination of his bank records showed the amount had been transferred by a jeweller. Further questioning revealed that Samar had sold stolen gold jewellery to him,” — Shrikant Thikane, Indiatimes
Inside job: Youth’s SUV purchase exposes Rs 14.5 lakh gold theft from uncle’s house
  • “We became suspicious of Samar after learning that he had recently purchased an expensive SUV despite having no regular employment or income source. His father was a peon.” — Shrikant Thikane, Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times