Daijiworld Media Network – Rajkot
Rajkot, Oct 15: The Rajkot City Crime Branch has cracked a Rs 1.53-crore gold and silver robbery-cum-murder case within 12 hours, arresting nine accused in Rajasthan and recovering the entire stolen consignment. Police suspect an insider's involvement in the crime, with an employee of the company allegedly providing information about the movement of the valuables to help the gang plan the robbery.
The incident occurred outside the refinery unit of Tanvi Gold Enterprise, operated by Tanvi Export India Limited, in the Aji GIDC area of Rajkot at around 8.15 pm on October 14. The accused allegedly intercepted a company employee transporting gold and silver ornaments on an Activa scooter and attempted to snatch the bag containing the valuables.
When the employee resisted, one of the attackers allegedly opened fire, hitting him in the chest. The assailants then fled with the consignment before police launched a search operation across state borders.
The victim, identified as 53-year-old Lalji Sardhara, was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. His death turned the robbery into a murder case, prompting a coordinated investigation by the Rajkot City Crime Branch and Rajasthan Police.
According to police, the nine arrested include the four alleged robbers who carried out the attack and other suspects believed to have assisted in planning or executing the crime. The accused were traced to Rajasthan, with the operation involving the Pindwara police in Sirohi district and the Udaipur district police.
Rajkot Crime Branch Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagdish Bangarva said the suspects were tracked through technical surveillance and arrested with the assistance of Rajasthan Police. The stolen valuables were recovered, and arrangements were being made to bring the accused to Rajkot for further investigation.
“Yesterday evening, a robbery took place outside the Tanvi Gold refinery, which falls under the jurisdiction of Thorala police station. During the incident, the perpetrators opened fire on an employee named Laljibhai and looted gold and silver ornaments valued at approximately Rs 1.53 crore. Laljibhai, who sustained injuries, subsequently passed away while undergoing treatment,” Bangarva said.
He added that the Crime Branch traced the suspects in less than 12 hours. Coordinated action by the Pindwara police in Sirohi district and the Udaipur district police led to the arrests and recovery of the stolen valuables.
The suspected involvement of an insider has emerged as a key aspect of the investigation. Police suspect that an employee of Tanvi Gold Enterprise passed on information about the consignment, enabling the gang to identify and target the movement of the valuables. Investigators are examining the employee's alleged role and how details about the consignment reached the accused.
According to the complaint filed by Bipin Virdiya at Thorala police station, the accused escaped with valuables worth Rs 1,53,20,000. The stolen consignment comprised 946 grams of gold valued at Rs 1,48,90,000 and two kilograms of refined silver dust powder worth Rs 4,30,000.
Lalji Sardhara was transporting the consignment on his Activa scooter when three to four men arriving in a car allegedly attempted to snatch the bag. When he resisted, one of the attackers fired at him, striking him in the chest. The accused then fled with the valuables.
CCTV footage of the incident has also surfaced and is expected to form part of the investigation. Police are examining the footage along with technical evidence to establish the sequence of events and identify the individual roles of the accused.
Investigators are also questioning the other arrested suspects to determine whether they helped plan the robbery, provided information about the consignment or assisted the gang in escaping after the shooting. The alleged insider connection and the circumstances surrounding Sardhara's killing remain important aspects of the probe.
The arrests in Rajasthan and recovery of the stolen property mark a significant development in the case. Police are now focusing on establishing the precise roles of all nine accused and determining how the gang obtained information about the high-value consignment.