Hudkeshwar Police arrested a thief shortly after he encashed a cheque allegedly stolen from the residence of Umred MLA Sanjay Meshram. The accused has been identified as Dhananjay Ganvir, a resident of Bamboovan in Hudkeshwar. Police said he has a criminal history, with several theft and house-breaking cases registered against him. According to police, Meshram is currently in Mumbai attending the Monsoon Session of the State Legislature. The accused allegedly broke the lock of the MLA’s flat at Heritage Apartments in Vihirgaon during the early hours of Sunday.

 

The burglar reportedly escaped with Rs 75,000 in cash and a cheque from the house. On Monday, at around 11.30 am, Ganvir allegedly visited the Bank of India branch at Dharampeth and submitted the stolen cheque to withdraw Rs 3 lakh. He reportedly attached a photocopy of an identity card belonging to a person named Rehman from Odisha while presenting the cheque. Bank officials found that only Rs 2.5 lakh was available in cash at the branch.

 

The amount was handed over to the accused, who told the staff he would return later to collect the remaining Rs 50,000. Meanwhile, Meshram received an SMS alert about the withdrawal from his bank account and immediately informed the police. Hudkeshwar Police team rushed to the bank and laid a trap. When Ganvir returned wearing a face mask to collect the remaining Rs 50,000, he was arrested by the police. Police have recovered the stolen money and are investigating whether the accused was involved in other recent burglaries in the city. Further investigation is underway.