Caretaker Arrested for Siphoning Thousands from Late Air Force Officer's Accounts

In May 2025, police in Pune arrested the caretaker-cum-driver of a late senior Indian Air Force officer on charges of siphoning off ₹39.87 lakh from the officer's bank accounts. The investigation revealed that the caretaker, Karant Patil, had been given access to the officer's bank accounts and debit cards. After the officer suffered a brain stroke in 2022, Patil took advantage of his deteriorating condition and stole the money.

Patil also transferred the officer's car to his own name and, with the help of his father-in-law, Gorkash Kawade, forged a will of the officer to take over the latter's flat in Bavdhan. The fraud came to light about two months after the officer's death. The officer's son lodged a complaint at the Hinjewadi police station, leading to Patil's arrest on October 4, 2025. Kawade was later arrested on October 8.

Police investigations revealed that Patil had renovated his own flat using the stolen money and were looking into whether he had purchased any land with the funds. The case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, and forgery.