Phuge had floated a chit fund through which he collected money from several investors.
AB Wire
Dattatray Phuge, 44-year-old Pune business man, who came to be known as ‘gold man’ after he was shot to fame three years ago by wearing a 1.27 crore gold shirt was allegedly beaten to death last night.
Mr Phuge – who has criminal cases against him- had floated a chit fund through which he collected money from several investors.
A local media report says that Phuge was also indulged in an argument with some people 8 to 10 days prior to the incident.
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.
After taking him to Bharatmata nagar in Dighi they attacked him with stones and sharp weapons, Seema, who is an ex-corporation councilor from the nationalist congress party, said.
Police have recovered sharp weapons from the crime spot and have arrested four people including Phuge’s nephew.
Phuge first appeared on the media when the high-profile businessman made a memorable picture in a 22 -carat gold shirt with Swarovski crystal buttons and a matching gold belt and that went viral.
It was billed as the world’s most expensive shirt and designed to catch the eye easily. The 3.5 kg shirt was crafted by 15 workmen from Bengal.