The Kancheepuram police has intensified its investigation to trace the gang which planned the robbery of antique jewellery belonging to businesswoman Kiran Rao, and executed it by engaging small-time offenders at the Paranur toll plaza last Sunday.
Dayanidhi Swain, general manager of Amethyst Cafe Private Limited owned by Ms. Rao, was returning with other staff members in a car from Madurai, after they had exhibited the firm’s antique jewellery and dresses at an event. At 3 p.m. last Sunday, the car was intercepted near the Paranur toll plaza by four persons claiming to be Idol Wing officers. Under the guise of interrogation, the gang took Mr. Swain and suitcases containing diamonds and gold jewellery in another car. They sped to Oragadam and abandoned Mr. Swain en route.
Kancheepuram District SP Santhosh Hadimani on Saturday said: “We have arrested four persons. We are working to nab the mastermind who planned and executed the robbery with these four persons. Around ₹7.6 crore worth jewellery and a motorcycle were recovered.”
The police said they suspected insider involvement, as those arrested said they were informed earlier itself about the movement of high value jewellery. Those arrested are small-time offenders. They executed the plan for a few thousand rupees, the investigators said.
The police also suspect that Minnal Mani, a history-sheeter, had a big role to play in the planning.
