Belagavi police have apprehended eight individuals in connection with the kidnapping and robbery of jewellery manufacturing workers who were traveling to Goa. The suspects allegedly threatened the victims at gunpoint and knifepoint during the incident.
Details of the Arrest
District Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan informed the media that cash, vehicles, and other items valued at Rs 40.5 lakh were recovered from the accused. The breakthrough came following a complaint filed by SK Ibadul, a resident of West Bengal currently living in Shahpur, Belagavi.
According to the complainant, he was traveling to Goa on May 20 with his friends Rafiul Ghazi and Ali Hussain Mandal when miscreants attacked their car on the national highway near Bailur Cross in Uchchawad village, Khanapur taluk. The assailants blocked the vehicle, dragged the three occupants to a nearby field, threatened them with knives, and robbed them. Ibadul further alleged that Rafiul Ghazi made off with 225 grams of gold.
Investigation and Seizures
Police launched an investigation and arrested Rafiul Rahul Amin Ghazi (29) and Ali Hussain Kabiruddin Mandal (27), both from West Bengal, along with Sadiq Abdul Rehman Toragal (37), Vivek Patil (33), Prashant Chauhan (37), Nitin Chauhan (36), Digambar Patil (26), and Mayur Ghadhi (26), all residents of Belagavi. It was revealed that some of the accused had prior involvement in housebreaking and robbery cases in Khanapur taluk and surrounding areas.
Authorities seized three cars, Rs 1.2 lakh in cash, a country-made pistol, a knife, eight mobile phones, a bike, and 25 grams of fake gold biscuits from the suspects. SP Ramarajan highlighted that a key finding during the investigation was that the robbery had been orchestrated by the victim's own associates, Rafiul Ghazi and Ali Hussain Mandal.
