Bijnor Man and Accomplices Arrested for Major Theft After Drugging Family
In a shocking incident from Bijnor's Nahtaur area, a 28-year-old man and his three accomplices were arrested on Saturday evening for allegedly drugging his wife's family members and stealing gold, silver, and cash worth approximately Rs 3 crore. Police confirmed the arrests on Sunday, highlighting a meticulously planned crime that targeted close relatives.
Background of the Family Dispute
According to SP Abhishek Jha, the case involves jeweller Santosh Verma, 65, whose differently-abled daughter Swati, 26, was married to Naveen Chauhan about one-and-a-half years ago. Naveen had been residing with his in-laws but was separated from the family due to alleged misconduct. He recently returned after apologizing, setting the stage for the criminal act.
Details of the Theft and Investigation
On February 25, Naveen allegedly spiked tea with intoxicants, rendering his wife and in-laws unconscious. He then stole around 900 grams of gold, 40 kg of silver, and an undisclosed amount of cash from the house before fleeing. The family reported the incident to police, leading to a case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 123 (causing hurt by means of poison), 305(a) (theft), 317(2) (retaining stolen property), and 317(5) (handling items obtained via theft).
Nahtaur police, with assistance from district SWAT and surveillance teams, successfully arrested Naveen and his three accomplices: Kunal Chauhan, Shivam Chauhan, and jeweller Shivam Saini. Stolen property was seized during the operation, and a probe is ongoing to trace any remaining items.
Confession and Motive
During interrogation, Naveen allegedly confessed that he and his associates planned the theft due to dissatisfaction with property transfers within the family. Police revealed that the accused were planning to flee to Haridwar, but swift action prevented their escape. The investigation continues to uncover further details and ensure justice for the affected family.
