Ahmedabad Crime Branch Recovers 40 kg More Silver in Rajkot Theft Case
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has secured a second consecutive breakthrough in the high-profile Rajkot silver theft case. In a meticulously planned follow-up operation conducted late on Monday night, law enforcement officials successfully recovered an additional 40 kilograms of stolen silver. This significant development brings the total amount of recovered silver to approximately 80 kilograms, representing a substantial portion of the 120 kilograms that were originally stolen from a storage facility.
Arrest of Key Accused and Seizure of Evidence
Officials confirmed that the key accused in this elaborate theft, identified as Mangusingh Rathore, a resident of Naroda, was intercepted and taken into custody near the Mango Cinema area. His arrest was the culmination of a targeted manhunt and intensive surveillance-based tracking operations conducted by the Crime Branch over several days.
Following his detention, Crime Branch personnel conducted a thorough search of Rathore's residence. During this search, investigators recovered the additional 40 kilograms of silver. The recovered items included 30 kilograms of silver ornaments in their original form and 10 kilograms that had been melted down into a more generic state.
Police also seized a furnace and various other tools that Rathore allegedly used to melt the stolen ornaments. This process was intended to erase distinctive markings and unique identifiers from the silver items. By converting the melted silver into uniform bars, the accused aimed to facilitate easier and less suspicious sales in the market, effectively disguising the illicit origin of the precious metal.
Background of the Theft and Previous Recovery
The silver theft originally occurred on February 4 in the Champaknagar area of Rajkot. The victim, silver trader Atul Patel, had stored approximately 125 kilograms of silver at the premises. According to police statements, the perpetrators had specific prior information about this stockpile. They executed a break-in at the location and successfully fled with the valuable metal.
The Crime Branch initiated a comprehensive probe into the case, which led investigators to trace initial leads to two brothers from Mehsana: Pradeep Prajapati and Kamlesh Prajapati. While Kamlesh Prajapati remains absconding, law enforcement had previously recovered 40 kilograms of the stolen silver from Pradeep Prajapati. That earlier recovery was made possible after authorities received a tip-off indicating that a large consignment of the stolen silver was being transported for sale in Mehsana. A Crime Branch team promptly intercepted the accused during the transportation of this consignment.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
With the latest recovery and arrest, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has demonstrated significant progress in unraveling this complex theft case. The recovery of melting equipment provides crucial evidence regarding the methods used to alter and disguise the stolen property. Investigators continue their efforts to locate the remaining stolen silver and apprehend all individuals involved in the criminal network.
This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking and recovering stolen precious metals, which are often quickly altered to prevent identification. The successful operations by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch serve as a reminder of the importance of coordinated surveillance, targeted investigations, and prompt action in combating organized theft of high-value commodities.
