Maharashtra Businessmen Duped in Hodal: ₹2.04 Lakh Stolen
Two businessmen from Maharashtra were lured to Hodal under false pretenses and robbed at gunpoint, losing valuables and cash.
Victims were promised a solar equipment supply deal in Hodal.
Robbers made off with gold jewelry and over ₹2 lakh through forced transfers.
Two suspects arrested, with four more still at large.
In a shocking incident, two businessmen from Maharashtra were reportedly lured to Hodal with a fraudulent offer related to solar equipment supply and subsequently robbed at gunpoint. The victims, identified as Vivekanand Eknath Argaje, 43, and his friend Santosh Mahadev, 42, both hailing from Beed district, were targeted after being invited to finalize a deal that turned out to be a ruse.
The duo had been in contact with individuals from Palwal through social media, who posed as employees of a manufacturing firm. They invited Argaje to visit their facility to discuss a supposed business opportunity. After traveling to Delhi and then to Hodal, they were met by the suspects who drove them to a remote area under the pretense of showing them the factory.
Once in a secluded location, the suspects revealed their true intentions, brandishing firearms and demanding the victims' valuables. They seized mobile phones, gold rings, and ATM cards, coercing Argaje to transfer ₹1.29 lakh to a designated bank account and forcing Mahadev to send ₹75,000 via UPI. After the robbery, the suspects blindfolded the men and abandoned them in the forest before fleeing the scene.
Fortunately, the victims managed to free themselves from their blindfolds and sought assistance from nearby villagers. The villagers helped them contact their families and the police. Following their report, local authorities initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of two suspects on Friday. The police are actively pursuing four additional individuals involved in the crime.
Suresh Bhadana, the deputy superintendent of police in Hodal, confirmed that an FIR was filed based on Argaje's complaint, charging the suspects with multiple offenses, including dacoity and criminal intimidation. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security for business travelers in the region, prompting calls for increased vigilance and protective measures against such fraudulent schemes.
