According to IANS, the high-profile businessman’s vehicle was accosted by some unknown persons on outskirts of Pune late on Thursday night.
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The 48-year-old businessman, was reportedly attacked by a dozen men who dragged him out of his auto, attacked him with a sickle and pounded him to death with huge stones before running away.
One of the suspects had invited Mr Phuge and his 22-year-old son to celebrate a birthday at an open ground in Dighi area when the men attacked him with stones and a sharp weapon.
His 22-year-old son, who was also present, was spared.
Millionaire money-lender, Datta D. Phuge, famous as “Pimpri Goldman” was found clobbered to death near Dighi here on early Friday morning, police said.
The motive behind the killing is not known, but police preliminary suspect it may be linked to some business rivalries and are investigating all angles.
Police suspect a financial dispute and have detained four persons.
Datta Phuge, the businessman from the industrial township of Pimpri-Chinchwad in the district, became the talk of the town after he procured a custom-made a “gold shirt” weighing about 3.5 kg and worth Rs 1.27 crore in 2012.
Phuge’s wife Seema told police that four-five unidentified men entered their house in Bhosari around 9.30 pm and asked her husband to accompany them.
Phuge – who had criminal cases against him – had floated a chit fund through which he collected money from several investors, police officials said.
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The shirt was designed by city-based Ranka Jewellers, who employed 15 skilled artisans from West Bengal.
