Mumbai: The Thane police arrested a person for duping several by promising homes under the PM Aawas Yojana (housing scheme) and looting them of cash and valuables. The accused, a resident of Ghansoli village, has at least 37 cases with 19 police stations against him, and the police have recovered over 2 kg gold ornaments and bars worth around Rs 47 lakh from him.
The accused was identified as Tukaram Aadsul, 41, a resident of Sai Shraddha Chawl in Ghansoli village. The police said that the accused is a notified thief and would win over his victims before looting them.
"The accused would promise homes in the central government housing scheme to those interested. He would then conduct a series of meetings to ascertain the financial backgrounds and details of family members of the interested person," said Madhukar Pandey, joint commissioner of police, Thane.
One of these meetings would take place at the residence of the interested persons when Mr Aadsul would scan the set of documents under the pretext of submission and would find faults. He would ask for more documents and would send the person to get photocopies of the same and would enter the residence only to burgle it.
"The accused has many registered cases in Navi Mumbai, apart from some in Palghar. We have recovered gold worth Rs 47.2 lakh from him, which he had sold," added Mr Pandey.
The police identified Narayansinh Kharwad, Rehmatsinh Kharwad (both Navi Mumbai based jewellers) and Karansinh Sisodiya, Andheri-based jeweller, who bought the stolen gold, as other accomplices. Aadsul has been booked for theft, cheating and breach of trust as per provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
