In a significant breakthrough, the Nainital police on Sunday apprehended four members of an inter-state gang responsible for a daring burglary at Radhika Jewellers in Haldwani's Mukhani area. The high-profile theft, which occurred two weeks ago, involved valuables estimated at a staggering Rs 1.25 crore.
The Heist and The Investigation
The burglars executed the crime by ingeniously breaching a wall from a neighbouring premises to gain entry into the jewellery shop. They made off with a substantial quantity of silver and gold jewellery, along with a significant amount of cash. Following the incident, an FIR was registered at the Mukhani police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 305(A) for theft and 331(3) for house-breaking with intent to commit an offence.
The investigation took a crucial turn when CCTV footage led police to identify a Bolero vehicle connected to the crime. Leveraging technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, law enforcement agencies launched extensive searches across several states and along the sensitive Nepal border.
The Arrests and Recoveries
The coordinated efforts culminated in the arrest of the accused near the Nepal border in Banbasa, located in Champawat district. The police team, led by Sub-Inspector Virendra Chand, successfully nabbed the gang members and recovered valuables worth Rs 22 lakh from their possession.
The arrested individuals and specific recoveries include:
- Maqsood Sheikh (Jharkhand): Three gold earrings and a silver coin.
- Basant Khatri (Nepal): Three gold earrings and three ear ornaments.
- Tanveer Ahmad (Mumbai): Two gold bangles.
- Imran Sheikh (Jharkhand): A silver brick.
The police also seized the Bolero vehicle used in the commission of the crime.
Criminal History and Recognition
During interrogation, Maqsood Sheikh admitted his involvement in previous theft cases in Ranchi and Surat, indicating the gang's inter-state operational reach. Police authorities are currently verifying the criminal records of all the accused to uncover potential links to other unsolved cases.
In recognition of the diligent police work, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) announced a cash reward of Rs 2,500 for the team that carried out the successful operation, highlighting the effective use of technology and field intelligence in cracking the case.
