The police, in coordination with the Delhi and Kerala Police, have arrested three persons, including two Afghan nationals, allegedly involved in the theft of gold ornaments and silver articles valued at ₹ 1.11 crore from a jewellery shop here on September 3.
Police Commissioner P.S. Harsha gave the names of the arrested persons as Muhthasimu C.M., alias Thaslim (39), of Kalnad village of Kasaragod district in Kerala, Wali Mohammed Safi alias Safi (45) and Mohammad Azim Khuram, alias Azim (25), both from Kabul district in Afghanistan and now residing in Malaviya Nagar, New Delhi.
He said that the accused dug a hole in the wall of the shop and broke open the iron safe to take away gold ornaments valued at ₹ 1.02 crore and silver articles estimated at ₹ 9.11 lakh from Arun Jewellery on Bhavanti Street here. As sophisticated machinery had been used in the theft, the police suspected the involvement of a professional gang.
Dr. Harsha told reporters here on Thursday that several teams were formed to crack the case. After 20 days of investigative work, the teams were sent to Kasaragod and New Delhi to arrest the accused and recover the stolen articles.
He said that main accused, Muhthasimu, accused in a murder case in Ullal and three forgery and rioting cases in Bekal Police limits in Kerala, had admitted to plotting the theft. Muhthasimu used his links with underworld elements to get in touch with the Afghans who carried out the theft.
Wali Mohammed had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency, New Delhi, for being in illegal possession of arms. Mohammed Azim is an accused in a rape case registered at New Delhi’s Janakapuri Police Station. The police are now on the look-out for Farid, the third Afghan said to be involved in the theft, and Kunhi Ahmed, a resident of Kasaragod.
The police have recovered 2.753 kg of gold worth ₹ 90 lakh. The accused were produced before a local court which sent them to 12 days police custody.
He commended the work of Police Inspectors Shivaprakash and Govindaraju, Police Sub-Inspectors Kabbalraj, Pradeep T.R. and Sundar, and staff from the City Crime Branch, Mangaluru North, and ACP Central Divisions.
