Dattatrey Phuge | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 1968 Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 14 July 2016 (aged 48) |
| Cause of death | Beaten to death |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Political party | Nationalist Congress Party |
| Spouse(s) | Seema Phuge |
| Children | 1 |
Dattatrey D. Phuge (14 July 1968 – 14 July 2016) was an Indian businessman and millionaire. He gained fame in 2012 after having a $240,000 customized gold shirt made, earning him the nickname Gold Man, and Pimpri Goldman.[1] Phuge was murdered by being beaten to death on the 14 July 2016 over a financial dispute.[2][3][4][1][5]
Career[edit | edit source]
Phuge ran the Vakratund Chit Fund Pvt. Ltd. along with his wife Seema Phuge, a former corporator who belonged to the Nationalist Congress Party.[6] He also ran a co-operative credit society and financial institutions.[7][8]
Gold Shirt[edit | edit source]
In late 2012, Phuge had an opulent $240,000, 22-karat gold shirt made for him, decorated with seven Swarovski crystal buttons and an accompanying flashy gold belt in a matching design. In 2013, he thereby gained an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most expensive shirt.[9][10][11][12][13][14] In 2013 Phuge said of his love of gold that "Everybody knows me as the 'gold man' in the whole region. Other rich people spend one crore (10 million rupees) to buy Audis or Mercedes, to buy what they like. What crime have I done? I just love gold. Gold has always been my passion since a young age. I've always worn gold as jewellery in the form of bracelets, rings, chains."[5]
Death[edit | edit source]
On 14 July 2016, Phuge was murdered after being lured to an open ground in the Dighi area of Pune under the guise of a birthday celebration; he and his son had been invited via text message by one of the suspects.[15] Upon arrival, a group of approximately twelve assailants pulled Phuge from his vehicle and attacked him with sickles, swords, knives, and rods.[5][2] He was subsequently bludgeoned to death with large stones before the attackers fled the scene.[16] Phuge's son witnessed the assault but managed to escape unharmed.[3]
Police investigators suggested the motive was related to a dispute over financial transactions, citing reports of financial misappropriation and irregularities allegedly involving Phuge.[4] Phuge's son stated that the killers were known associates of his father and believed they may have been contracted for the killing.[3][5]
Following the discovery of his body, a manhunt was launched and roadblocks were established across the district.[2] Nine individuals were eventually arrested, including Phuge’s nephew, while three other suspects initially avoided capture.[5][16]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "India's 'man with the golden shirt' found beaten to death". The National. 2016-07-16. Archived from the original on 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Pune 'Goldman' murder: Nine in police". The Free Press Journal. July 17, 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "'I saw them attack dad and smash his head with a stone'". Mumbai Mirror. July 16, 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "सोने की कमीज के लिए मशहूर हुए भारतीय व्यापारी की हत्या". Deutsche Welle. 15 July 2016.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Indian businessman famed for $240,000 gold shirt 'beaten to death'". the Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
- ↑ "Pune's 'Golden Man' murdered". The Hindu. July 16, 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "The world's costliest shirt is made of 3.5kgs [sic] gold and costs Rs 1.27 crore". DNA India. 29 Jun 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "India, ucciso l'uomo dalla maglietta d'oro (pagata 180 mila euro)". Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "India's 'Man with the Golden Shirt' seeks entry into Guinness World Record". Arab News. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "This Indian Man Got Himself A Rs 1.3 Crore Gold Shirt On His Birthday". Mensxp. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "Most expensive shirt: Datta Phuge breaks Guinness world record". World Record Academy. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "9 Of The Most Expensive Menswear Pieces Ever Made". FashionBeans. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "El trágico final del "hombre de la camisa de oro"". BBC Mundo. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "Asesinan al indio con la camisa de oro más cara del mundo". Ultima Hora. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ "'I saw them attack dad and smash his head with a stone'". Mumbai Mirror. July 16, 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Pune's 'Gold Man' Datta Phuge Beaten To Death In Front Of Son, Nephew Arrested". [suspicious link removed]. Retrieved 2022-07-11.