In a significant breakthrough, the Mumbai Police have apprehended the alleged mastermind behind a brazen gold robbery and shooting incident that shocked the city last year. The accused, Kailash Mathuradas Suryavanshi alias KP (54), was arrested from Neral after evading capture for nearly a year.
The Dramatic Heist and Chase
The crime dates back to January 2025. The complainant, Chirag Dhandukia, who runs a jewellery business, was travelling with two relatives towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to transport gold ornaments to Goa. They were on two motorcycles, carrying the valuables in handbags. Dhandukia's 16-year-old nephew was riding pillion on one bike.
At around 10:30 PM on P D'Mello Road near CSMT, four unidentified men intercepted them. They attempted to snatch a bag from the minor. When the boy resisted, one of the assailants pulled out a firearm and fired two rounds at his leg. The attackers then fled with one of the bags, which contained jewellery worth Rs 47.27 lakh.
Police Investigation and Initial Arrests
A case was immediately registered at the MRA Marg police station. Teams were formed and CCTV footage was scrutinised extensively. The police acted swiftly, arresting two accused within 24 hours: Kiran Dhanawade (47) from Girgaon and Haroon Noor Mohamed Madiya (45) from Dongri. Gold valuables worth Rs 16.5 lakh were recovered from them.
Further investigation led to the arrest of a third accused, Javed Majeed Shaikh (42) from Panvel, who was apprehended from Delhi where he had been hiding. However, the alleged mastermind, Suryavanshi, remained at large, frequently changing his locations across Maharashtra to avoid arrest.
Capture of the Armed and Notorious Mastermind
Finally, on January 9, 2026, acting on a tip-off, a police team rushed to Neral. After confirmation of his presence, Suryavanshi was arrested near Neral railway station and brought to Mumbai. From his possession, police recovered a pistol, five live rounds, and gold ornaments worth Rs 13 lakh.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Pravin Mundhe confirmed the details of the operation. Suryavanshi is known to be armed at all times and is alleged to have orchestrated this heist. His criminal record is extensive, with links to as many as 35 cases of robbery and other offences across Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
During the investigation, police also discovered that he was a wanted accused in a case registered under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) at the Nagpada police station, underscoring the seriousness of his alleged criminal activities.
Conclusion and Implications
The arrest marks the culmination of a persistent year-long manhunt by the MRA Marg police. It highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down seasoned criminals who operate across jurisdictions. The recovery of weapons and a portion of the stolen gold also provides crucial evidence for the prosecution. The case now moves towards the legal process, where the charges, including those under MCOCA, will be tested in court.
