Nagpur: In a significant breakthrough, Tehsil Police have arrested three members of an interstate gang involved in stealing gold from jewellery workshops after securing employment as workers. Gold weighing 105.3 grams, valued at ₹11.5 lakh, has been recovered so far, while one accused remains absconding.
The case pertains to a theft reported at Suryawanshi Refinery, located at Sudam Galli, New Itwari Road. Complainant Sadashiv Bhimrao Suryawanshi (55), a resident of Labhantanda, Old Shukrawari, runs a gold ornaments manufacturing shop. On April 4, 2025, around 3:15 pm, when his son had stepped out for lunch, their employee Sachin Salukhe (30), a native of Vita, Sangli, allegedly stole a 200-gram gold bar worth ₹5.5 lakh from a steel bowl kept at the counter and fled.
After reviewing CCTV footage, Tehsil Police registered a case under Sections 306, 317(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Accused Traced to Ichalkaranji Through Technical Analysis
During investigation, police used technical intelligence to establish that the accused had fled to Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur. A team was dispatched, and a trap was laid to apprehend Sachin Salukhe alias Vaibhav Bhauso Malgave. Following his arrest, police recovered 55 grams of stolen gold from his possession.
During interrogation, Salukhe revealed the involvement of his associates:
- Accused No. 2: Jagannath Prakash Javir (46), resident of Khambale, Vita, Sangli
- Accused No. 3: Prashant Nanasa Mulik (25), resident of New Vikas Nagar, Khed, Satara
- Wanted Accused No. 4: Chetan Prakash Javir, resident of Khambale, Vita, Sangli
Police subsequently tracked down and arrested accused Jagannath Javir and Prashant Mulik. From Mulik, police recovered 50.3 grams of gold granules.
Gang Operated Across Multiple States
According to investigators, the group is part of a professional theft gang that secures jobs at jewellery workshops across Maharashtra and other states. After gaining trust, they identify opportunities to steal gold and quickly escape.
So far, police have seized 105.3 grams of gold, including gold bar and granules, valued at around ₹11,50,000. The hunt for the fourth absconding accused is underway.
Operation Led by Senior Police Supervision
The action was taken under the guidance of:
- Ravindrakumar Singhal, Commissioner of Police
- Navinchandra Reddy, Joint Commissioner of Police
- Rajendra Dabhade, Additional CP (North)
- Rahul Madane, DCP (Zone 3)
- Anita More, ACP (Kotwali Division)
The operation was executed by PI Shubhangi Deshmukh, PSI Rahul Wadhwe, PSI Ramiz Shaikh, HC Sanjay Sahu, HC Sandeep Gawli, PC Mahendra Selokar, PC Vaibhav Kulsange, PC Sunil Selokar, PC Sandeep Shirfule, PC Kisan Chandekar, and PC Pavan Sakharakar.
Further investigation is ongoing.
