Saswad Police recover stolen gold jewellery, cash; Rohit Kate arrested
Synopsis
Saswad Police cracked a residential theft case in just weeks — recovering two-and-a-half tolas of gold jewellery hidden inside a vehicle by the accused, Rohit Kate, who reportedly has a prior criminal record from Sangli. The quick turnaround highlights rural Maharashtra police's growing investigative reach.
Key Takeaways
Saswad Police recovered two-and-a-half tolas of gold jewellery and ₹9,500 in cash stolen from an elderly woman in Chambali village, Purandar tehsil, Pune district .
The theft occurred on 8 October ; accused Rohit Popat Kate (32) of Palus, Sangli district , was arrested after confessing during interrogation.
Kate had concealed the stolen jewellery in the rear portion of a vehicle parked near his residence in Chambali.
A prior case of assault and criminal intimidation was registered against Kate at Palus Police Station in 2020 .
The operation was led under the guidance of Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill and senior officers; further interrogation is underway.
The Saswad Police have recovered two-and-a-half tolas of gold jewellery and ₹9,500 in cash stolen from the residence of an elderly woman in Chambali village, Purandar tehsil, Pune district, Maharashtra. The accused, identified as Rohit Popat Kate (32), a resident of Palus in Sangli district, has been arrested following a targeted investigation by the Crime Investigation Team.
How the Theft Unfolded
The theft was reported on 8 October 2026, when the gold ornaments and cash went missing from the elderly woman's home. Swapnil Laxman Kanse subsequently filed a formal complaint at the Saswad Police Station, setting the investigation in motion.
Recovery and Arrest
Police Inspector Santosh Gholave directed the Crime Investigation Team to act on the complaint. A team led by Assistant Police Inspector Shankar Raut visited the crime scene and began questioning suspects. During interrogation, Rohit Kate reportedly confessed to committing the theft and disclosed that he had concealed the stolen jewellery in the rear portion of a vehicle parked near his residence in Chambali. Acting on this disclosure, the police recovered the stolen items and placed Kate under formal arrest.
Accused's Prior Criminal Record
According to police, a previous case involving assault and criminal intimidation was registered against Kate at Palus Police Station in 2020. Further interrogation is reportedly underway to establish additional details about the current case and any possible links to other incidents.
Senior Officers and Team Behind the Operation
The operation was conducted under the overall guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, Additional Superintendents of Police Ganesh Biradar and Shubham Kumar, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Rajendra Singh Gaur. Assistant Police Inspectors Shankar Raut and Vaibhav Sonawane, along with personnel Dattatraya Kale, Ganesh Sonawane, Tushar Londhe, Praveen Shende, Pranay Makhare, and Parde, played key roles in the recovery.
Broader Context: Thefts in Pune
This comes against a backdrop of property crime incidents in the Pune region. In July, two robbers allegedly looted gold, diamond ornaments, and cash worth ₹66 lakh from the house of a retired Wing Commander after threatening him in the Wanwadi area of Pune city — a case that drew significant attention to home security concerns in the district. The swift resolution of the Chambali theft is likely to be cited by rural police as evidence of improved ground-level response.
Point of View
Investigation launched, confession obtained, stolen goods recovered. What is worth noting is the accused's prior criminal record at Palus Police Station, raising a question about whether repeat offenders in Pune's rural belt are being monitored with enough rigour. The reference to the ₹66 lakh Wanwadi robbery in July also points to a broader pattern of residential property crime in Pune that deserves sustained institutional attention, not just case-by-case clearance.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was stolen in the Chambali village theft in Pune?
Two-and-a-half tolas of gold jewellery and ₹9,500 in cash were stolen from the residence of an elderly woman in Chambali village, Purandar tehsil, Pune district, on 8 October.
Who is the accused arrested by Saswad Police?
The accused is Rohit Popat Kate, 32, a resident of Palus in Sangli district, Maharashtra. He reportedly confessed to the theft and disclosed the hiding location of the stolen jewellery during police interrogation.
How did police recover the stolen gold jewellery?
Acting on information provided by the accused during questioning, police traced the stolen gold jewellery to the rear portion of a vehicle parked near Rohit Kate's residence in Chambali. The items were recovered and Kate was formally arrested.
Does the accused have a prior criminal record?
Yes, according to police, a case involving assault and criminal intimidation was registered against Rohit Kate at Palus Police Station in 2020. Further interrogation is underway to gather additional details.
Who led the investigation?
The Crime Investigation Team, led by Assistant Police Inspector Shankar Raut, conducted the operation under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill and senior officers including Additional SPs Ganesh Biradar and Shubham Kumar.
