Mumbai: Gold theft suspect apprehended after three-year pursuit

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The Samta Nagar police have arrested an individual who had managed to evade arrest for the past three years in connection with a theft case. The arrested suspect has been identified as Vishwajit Mandal, aka Jana. He was taken into custody at the International Airport while en route to Dubai in pursuit of a job opportunity.

The complainant, Brijesh Mishra, 40, involved in a gold business partnership, was the owner of a factory that employed a workforce of 16 individuals. This partnership encountered a setback three years ago when one of the business associates procured gold from a factory situated in Goregaon East. Suspicions arose regarding the actual quantity of refined gold acquired, leading to the initiation of an investigation.

Upon a thorough review of the CCTV footage from the factory, it became evident that four individuals had taken gold and concealed it in their wallets. Swiftly, the concerned party reported the incident to the Samta Nagar police, and a case was registered.

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Subsequently, a comprehensive police investigation unfolded, resulting in the arrest of three individuals during the course of their inquiries. The main suspect, Vishwajit, opted to elude authorities by relocating to Hubli rather than returning to his native village in West Bengal. He spent the three years labouring at a construction site, seemingly under the impression that the police pursuit would eventually stop.

Several months ago, Vishwajit reconnected with a friend who apprised him of a prospective job as a goldsmith in Dubai. He travelled from Hubli to the Mumbai airport. The Samta Nagar police were promptly alerted to his presence at the airport.

Supervised by Senior Inspector Praveen Rane and assisted by PSI Rao Saheb Shinde, the police team launched a strategic operation that culminated in the successful arrest of Vishwajit at the airport. On August 25, he was formally arrested, presented in court, and subsequently remanded into police custody, as disclosed by an officer from the Samta Nagar police station.

During the period spanning from January 21, 2020, to February 12, 2020, a total of 240 grams of gold had been stolen. Following a month of investigative efforts, the police managed to arrest three out of the four accused, namely Prasannjeet Mandal, Vishwajeet Mandal, and Chiranjiv, who were accomplices in the crime alongside Vishwajeet Mandal alias Jana.

Mishra said, "Following that, my business suffered, leaving me in dire straits. Out of the stolen 240 gm of gold, the police managed to recover only 50 gm from the three apprehended culprits, with the remaining portion allegedly in possession of the absconding Jana."

With the recent arrest of Jana, Mishra expressed his surprise at not having been informed about the arrest. "I am hopeful that the police will retrieve the outstanding gold and facilitate its return to me, allowing me to get my business back on track," Mishra added.