West Bengal Man Arrested in Kanpur for Fleeing with Gold Worth Over Rs 1.4 Crore
In a significant development, police in Kanpur have arrested a man from West Bengal who allegedly fled with gold valued at more than Rs 1.4 crore from two local bullion traders. The accused, identified as Manas Het, was apprehended after being on the run since December 2024 and has been sent to jail following court orders.
Details of the Accused and the Reward
Manas Het, a resident of Sagarpur in the Medinipur district of West Bengal, was carrying a cash reward of Rs 10,000 at the time of his arrest. During police interrogation, he made a startling confession, claiming that he lost the entire stolen amount in betting during the Indian Premier League (IPL). This revelation has added a new dimension to the case, linking the theft to high-stakes gambling activities.
Background of the Gold Theft Incident
According to police reports, the incident traces back to Birhana Road in Kanpur. Sheikh Sarfaraz Ali, a bullion trader residing in Civil Lines, owns a jewellery showroom on this road. Manas had been employed at this shop for the past four years and was living in a rented accommodation in the Pheelkhana area.
On December 5, 2024, Sarfaraz Ali entrusted Manas with 891 grams of 24-carat gold, worth Rs 70,17,049 at that time, for the purpose of making jewellery. The next morning, when Sarfaraz Ali attempted to contact Manas regarding the jewellery, his mobile phone was found to be switched off. This raised immediate suspicions and triggered a search operation.
Discovery of Additional Theft
During the investigation, it was uncovered that Manas had also taken 995 grams of gold, valued at Rs 79,10,250, from another bullion trader named Gaurav Pal, who is a resident of Pheelkhana. Combined, the total value of the gold stolen from the two traders amounted to Rs 1,49,27,299, highlighting the scale of the theft.
Police Efforts and Arrest
Pheelkhana station in-charge Ajay Mishra stated that extensive efforts were made over the past two years to trace the accused. A non-bailable warrant was also obtained to facilitate the search. Manas eventually confessed that after fleeing with the gold, he returned to his home state of West Bengal. He later placed bets during the IPL and claimed to have lost the entire gold consignment in betting, explaining the motive behind his actions.
The arrest marks a crucial breakthrough in this high-value theft case, bringing closure to the affected traders and underscoring the challenges of tracking down absconding suspects in financial crimes.
