Mumbai, June 30: In a shocking incident in Maharashtra, a man travelling from Pune to Mumbai by Shivneri bus was allegedly drugged and robbed during his journey. The victim has been identified as Shailendra Kamlakar Sathe (57), an advertising and brand agency owner. The alleged incident occurred on Friday, June 14, when Sathe was travelling in the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) from Pune to Mumbai.

According to news reports, the alleged incident came to light when Sathe was found near a garbage bin in Mumbai's Dadar area by his family members. Police officials said that Sathe was reportedly offered a coffee laced with sedatives by his co-passenger during the bus journey from Pune to Mumbai. Sathe is suspected to have been robbed of Rs 3.70 lakh, which included money and valuables. Mumbai Shocker: Teenager Thrashed, Stabbed to Death for Refusing to Share Gutkha in Mulund; Three Arrested.

Pune Resident Drugged Aboard Shivneri Bus

Sathe, who lives in Pune's Baner area with his wife and two sons, boarded the Shivneri bus on June 14 to Mumbai. It is reported that the victim used to visit Mumbai once a week or twice a month for business purposes. Sathe said that after he boarded the bus, a co-passenger who was from Bengaluru asked him about the travel time. To this, Sathe said it was three hours.

Victim Accepts Coffee Offered by Co-Passenger

Sathe also said that when the bus stopped at a food mall in Khalapur, he visited the washroom and ate an ice cream. He told cops that his co-passenger offered him coffee. Although he does not drink coffee, Sathe fell for the offer. Saathe said that soon after he had the coffee, he felt a prick on his left hand and went on to lose consciousness. Mumbai Shocker: Man Brutally Kills Ex-Girlfriend on Street With Spanner in Vasai, Disturbing Video Surfaces.

Victim Regains Consciousness After 80 Hours

To his surprise, Sathe woke up 80 hours later on June 18 at Jupiter Hospital. The bus driver, who noticed Sathe after reaching Dadar bus stand, helped the victim alight and lay down on the pavement, assuming he was drunk. When his wife could not reach him, she contacted her family members and friends, who launched a search for him. They also approached the police but did not get any leads.

However, Sathe was found near the bus stand on June 15 by his brother-in-law Vishal Karkhanis. He was immediately rushed to Jupiter Hospital in Thane, where he regained consciousness on June 18 after being drugged for nearly 80 hours. After feeling better, Sathe approached the Khopoli police station and lodged a complaint. The case was later transferred to Matunga police, who launched an investigation in connection with the matter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2024 04:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).