Five more arrested for their role in gold powder theft

Surat: Five more accused were arrested by Katargam police on Sunday for their alleged involvement in the theft of 3.8kg gold powder worth Rs1.20 crore from Kiran Jewel India in Nandu Doshi Ni Vadi area of the city on December 18. Mastermind Bhuddhiram Yadav, 28, was among those nabbed. He was arrested from Delhi.
Mahesh Buddhu Maurya, 22, Sikandar Babu Yadav, 23, Pradeep alias Rahul Indrajeet Yadav, 23 and Bharat alias Bhupat Madhu Bhuva, 30, were arrested from Surat. Crime branch investigation had revealed the role of Budhhiram and Mohan in the theft, but those of others came to notice during further investigation by local police. One accused Mohan Gupta of Mumbai is yet to be arrested. Crime branch had arrested five accused on December 20 and recovered 2.9kg stolen gold from their possession. Those arrested by crime branch were Amit Mahadev Varma, 23, Umesh alias Ranu Sabhapati Upadhyay, 24, Vijay Misrilal Varma, 20, Dipak alias Bholu Ramniranjan Varma, 22, and Avdhesh alias Jinan Ramjeet Varma, 23, from Mumbai. They had escaped to Mumbai immediately after committing the theft.

The plan to steal gold was first prepared by Budhhiram and Mohan. Bhuva, a jewellery maker, was roped in by the accused to gain access into the jewellery unit. Bhuva through his contacts got Budhhiram and Pradeep employed in the unit. After working for six days, Budhhiram went to Delhi and informed his associates but said he needed 50 per cent of the total stolen material as his share for making the theft plan.

Pradeep, who continued to work in Kiran Jewel India, tipped off his associates through Sikandar when over 3kg gold was stored in the refinery. On receiving the tip-off, the accused executed the theft the same night.

“The entire plan was prepared at Mahesh’s house who worked for Bhuva. All the arrested accused had some role in the theft,” said a police officer of Katargam police station.