A significant case of alleged fraud has shaken the jewellery community in Rajkot, Gujarat, after a local jeweller reported that an artisan he employed vanished with gold worth approximately Rs 60 lakh. The incident, which also involves gold belonging to another trader, has led to a formal police investigation.
The Complaint and the Accused
The complaint was lodged by Jitesh Ranpara, a Rajkot-based jeweller, with the A Division police. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Ranpara had engaged Sheikh Badsha, a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal, for about a year. Badsha was one of six goldsmiths working on a commission basis, crafting jewellery from gold supplied by Ranpara and other traders.
For the duration of their professional relationship, Badsha reportedly returned the finished ornaments regularly in exchange for the raw gold provided. This established a pattern of trust, which was broken earlier this month.
The Disappearance and the Stolen Gold
The situation escalated on October 5, 2025, when Ranpara handed over 235.500 grams of gold to Badsha. The agreement stipulated that the finished jewellery would be returned within five days. However, Badsha failed to deliver the ornaments or return the gold and subsequently went incommunicado.
Following initial inquiries, the police discovered that Badsha had left for his native place in West Bengal. The investigation further revealed that he had also allegedly taken 238 grams of gold belonging to a different trader. In total, the accused is suspected of fleeing with 473.5 grams of gold, with an estimated market value of around Rs 60 lakh.
Legal Action and Implications
The Rajkot police have registered a formal case under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This section deals with criminal breach of trust, making the offence a serious legal matter. The case highlights the risks faced by jewellers and traders who rely on commissioned artisans, especially in transactions involving high-value materials.
Authorities are now tasked with locating the absconding artisan and recovering the stolen gold. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for businesses in the sector to implement stricter verification and security measures when dealing with high-value consignments.
