Nagpur: A 35-year-old jeweller was shot in the leg and robbed of gold, silver and cash collectively worth nearly ₹12 lakh by three masked motorcycle-borne assailants near Dahegaon Rangari on Thursday night. The injured businessman is undergoing treatment at a city hospital, while Nagpur Police have launched an intensive manhunt to trace the accused.
The victim has been identified as Mangesh Keshav Marotkar (35), a resident of Valni Basti and owner of Mahalaxmi Jewellers located in Siddiqui Complex at Dahegaon Rangari.
According to police, Marotkar closed his jewellery shop at around 8 pm and was returning home on his motorcycle when the attack took place. As he reached near Dhangawali Baba Temple on the Pipla-Valni Road, three men riding on a single motorcycle intercepted him.
During his statement to police, Marotkar said the trio had been following him for some distance before blocking his path. All three had concealed their identities by covering their faces with black scarves.
The accused allegedly attempted to snatch the bag carrying jewellery and cash. When Marotkar resisted, one of the robbers allegedly fired at him, with the bullet striking his leg. Another assailant reportedly attacked him on the head with a sharp weapon. After overpowering the jeweller, the gang fled with the bag, making a U-turn and escaping in the direction from which they had arrived.
Police said the stolen bag contained silver worth around ₹10 lakh, gold ornaments valued at approximately ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹35,000 in cash, taking the total value of the loot to nearly ₹12 lakh.
Hearing the victim’s cries for help, local residents rushed him to a hospital in Dahegaon Rangari. He was later referred to a hospital in Nagpur for advanced treatment. Doctors said his condition is stable.
Following the incident, Khaparkheda Police and Crime Branch Unit 6 reached the crime scene and began an investigation. During the spot inspection, investigators recovered an empty cartridge, which has been sent for forensic examination. Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil also visited the spot late at night to review the investigation and issue directions to the officers.
Police teams are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas, analysing technical evidence and tracking multiple leads to identify and arrest the three accused.
Investigators noted that similar attacks targeting jewellers have been reported in the past. Two incidents involving jewellers being shot and robbed were previously reported in the Pipla Dak Bungalow area, while another similar case was registered under the Patan Sawangi Police Stationlimits.
