In a shocking case of impersonation and robbery, three individuals, including a serving constable of the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC), have been apprehended by Mathura police. The accused allegedly posed as members of a specialised police unit and robbed a silver trader of a significant quantity of silver and cash right outside the Mathura Junction railway station.
The Brazen Daylight Robbery
The incident unfolded on Monday when the trader, identified as Yogesh Kumar from Hathras, disembarked from a train at Mathura Junction. As he was walking towards the auto stand, a group of five men intercepted him. Among the assailants were the now-arrested Rohit Singh (23), Gopal Krishna (25), and PAC Constable Narendra Singh (29), along with absconding PAC jawan Lakhmichand and an unidentified accomplice.
Police said the men claimed to be personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG). They threatened Yogesh Kumar, falsely accusing him of carrying marijuana (ganja), and demanded to inspect his luggage. When the trader revealed he was carrying silver, the intimidation escalated. The miscreants forcibly snatched 3.5 kilograms of silver and Rs 75,000 in cash from him. Before fleeing, they warned him to leave the spot immediately or face imprisonment.
Swift Police Action and Recoveries
Following the trader's complaint, an FIR was registered at Kotwali police station under relevant sections. Mathura SSP Shlok Kumar stated that acting on the complaint, police teams launched an investigation. By Tuesday, they had tracked down and arrested the three accused near an unpaved road along the railway line on Mal Godam Road in Mathura.
During the arrest, police made crucial recoveries from the suspects. The seized items include:
- 2.452 kg of the stolen silver
- Rs 60,000 of the stolen cash
- Two country-made pistols
- Two live cartridges
- A black bag and the car used in the commission of the crime
The FIR was registered under BNS Sections 310(2) for robbery and 317(2), along with Sections 3/25 of the Arms Act.
Local Links and Departmental Fallout
SSP Kumar revealed a local connection that facilitated the crime. Two of the arrested accused, Rohit Singh and Gopal Krishna, hail from the same village as the complainant, Yogesh Kumar. This familiarity allowed them to be aware of his movements and plans. The involvement of serving PAC personnel has added a serious dimension to the case.
"As PAC personnel are involved, a swift investigation will be conducted," assured SSP Kumar. He added that strict departmental action has been recommended against the accused constables to ensure such incidents act as a deterrent. Police are conducting raids to apprehend the absconding accused, Lakhmichand. Authorities confirmed that Constable Narendra Singh joined the PAC in 2019, while details of Lakhmichand's service record were being ascertained.
This audacious crime, involving individuals entrusted with law enforcement, has raised serious concerns about integrity and the misuse of authority, prompting calls for stringent checks within the force.
