In a significant breakthrough, the Karnal police on Saturday announced the cracking of a high-value robbery case involving cash and gold worth approximately Rs 2 crore. The police have arrested four individuals, including an employee of a local jeweller, in connection with the daring heist that targeted bullion agents on January 3.
The Heist: A Calculated Attack on Bullion Agents
The robbery unfolded on the night of January 3 when two agents from bullion firms were returning home after a day's work. The victims, identified as Baban Govind Mani and his brother-in-law, were ambushed near the community centre in Sector 16, Karnal. According to the complaint lodged by Mani, three to four unidentified persons attacked them, made off with a substantial quantity of gold and cash, and fled the spot swiftly.
The complainant stated that he and his brother-in-law are engaged in melting gold in the city's Sarrafa Bazaar. The attack occurred as they were heading home after finishing their work, leaving them shocked and bereft of valuables worth crores.
The Investigation and Swift Arrests
Acting promptly on the complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections at the Karnal City police station. Given the sheer magnitude of the crime, the police formed special joint teams to investigate. The teams operated under the supervision of Inspector Sandeep Kumar (Crime Investigation Branch-1 in-charge) and Inspector Ajay (Crime Investigation Branch-3 in-charge).
Their diligent efforts led to the arrest of all four accused persons. The police have identified them as:
- Prince and Dinesh (son of Joginder), residents of Naiyon Wala Mohalla, Karnal. Both were apprehended from the Sector-4 area.
- Praveen Kumar Gurjar (son of Narsingh), a resident of Rajpura, District Ambala.
- Prateek (son of Tilak Raj), a resident of Sonia Colony, Ambala Cantt. The latter two were arrested from the District Ambala area.
Recovery and Modus Operandi
From the possession of the accused, the police successfully recovered a significant portion of the loot. The seized items include 1,240 grams of gold, Rs 2 lakh in cash, and a Honda Activa scooter used in the commission of the crime.
With raw gold currently priced at approximately Rs 1.4 lakh per 10 grams, the recovered gold alone is valued at over Rs 1.73 crore. Combined with the cash, the total loot amounted to nearly Rs 2 crore, confirming the high-stakes nature of the robbery.
During preliminary interrogation, a revealing modus operandi came to light. DSP Rajiv Kumar informed that accused Dinesh and Prince, who worked at a jeweller's shop in Sarrafa Bazaar, used their insider access to conduct reconnaissance on the bullion agents' movements. This inside information was crucial in planning and executing the robbery along with their accomplices.
Ongoing Probe and Conclusion
The police have stated that further investigation is ongoing for a thorough probe into the case. They are looking into the roles of all involved and tracing any possible network or additional stolen property.
This swift cracking of the case by the Karnal police highlights effective coordination and investigative prowess in tackling serious organized crime. The arrest of the jeweller's employee underscores how insider threats can facilitate major criminal activities. The recovery of a large part of the stolen property brings some relief to the victims and serves as a stern warning to criminal elements in the region.
