Kolkata Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in a major robbery case with the arrest of a crucial suspect who had fled to Dubai after the crime. The Anti-Robbery Unit of the Lalbazar detective department apprehended Abbas Raja, identified as a 'hired robber' from Uttar Pradesh, marking a pivotal moment in the investigation of last year's high-value heist.
The Arrest and International Chase
Abbas Raja's run from the law ended at Lucknow's airport on Friday. Immigration officials, upon his arrival, immediately alerted the Kolkata Police. Acting on this tip, detectives from Lalbazar took him into custody in the early hours of Saturday, around 1 am. He was subsequently transported to Kolkata by Sunday.
Investigators revealed that Abbas allegedly used his share of the robbery proceeds to finance his escape to Dubai. There, he lived under the radar for approximately one and a half months, working at a gold shop under the fake identity of 'Subodh'. His return to India was triggered by the expiration of his tourist visa, which ultimately led to his capture.
Details of the Sinthee Robbery
The audacious crime that set this international manhunt in motion occurred on October 30 of last year. The incident took place in the Sinthee area of north Kolkata. According to police reports, miscreants stopped a scooter in front of a gold jewellery workshop. Brandishing a pistol, they snatched the gold and made a swift getaway. The total value of the stolen gold was estimated at a staggering Rs 3 crore.
Police have already identified the alleged mastermind as Israel, who, along with accomplices Saidul and Masum, meticulously planned the heist. This trio is currently in judicial custody. The investigation uncovered that Israel then brought in Abbas Raja, an old associate, to execute the plan. Abbas's role involved procuring a pistol from Uttar Pradesh and travelling to Kolkata specifically for the robbery.
The Aftermath and Recovery
Following the successful theft, the gang divided the stolen gold in Hooghly. Abbas then began his journey back to Uttar Pradesh, travelling by train from Hooghly to Burdwan, moving on to Asansol, and finally reaching his home state. This elaborate escape route was pieced together by the detectives during their probe.
In a related development, the Lalbazar team had already managed to recover a portion of the stolen gold. A raid conducted at Abbas's residence in the Akbarpur police station area of Ambedkar Nagar district in UP confirmed his escape, prompting the authorities to issue a lookout notice against him. His arrest closes a critical chapter in this complex case, though investigations into the broader network continue.
