Surat Crime Branch Files FIR Against Deceased Manager in Multi-Crore Gold Theft
In a shocking and unusual development, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) in Surat has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Hasmukh Mewada, a former manager of a finance firm, for an alleged theft of gold and silver ornaments valued at approximately Rs 4.2 crore. This legal action comes more than a year after Mewada died by suicide on April 16, 2023, adding a bizarre twist to the case.
Complaint by Firm Owner Unveils Alleged Embezzlement
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by 80-year-old Valchand Veerchand Shah, the owner of the finance firm 'VV Shah,' located in Jhampa Bazaar, Surat. Shah suspects that Mewada, who worked with the firm for about 25 years and was considered a trusted employee, siphoned off around 3 kg of gold and 39 kg of silver ornaments from bank lockers. These lockers were used to store jewellery pledged by customers as collateral for loans, a business Shah has operated for decades with a valid licence.
Shah approached the Crime Branch after growing concerned that other individuals, including some relatives of the accused, might have been involved in the alleged theft. He believes Mewada may have handed over some of the stolen gold and silver to a relative who runs a jewellery shop in Surat, prompting further investigation.
Details of the Theft and Subsequent Suicide
According to the FIR, Shah had entrusted Mewada with depositing and maintaining the pledged ornaments in lockers at Mahidharpura Urban Bank. Mewada held one of the three keys to these lockers, as he was responsible for managing the accounts of the deposited jewellery. Shah had also stored his family's personal gold and silver jewellery, totaling about 950 grams of gold and 9 kg of silver, in the same lockers.
The matter came to light in April 2023 when customers who had repaid their loans demanded their ornaments back. Mewada allegedly gave excuses and delayed the process. On April 15, when Shah's family members went to the bank with Mewada to retrieve the jewellery, he suddenly disappeared with the locker keys. A missing complaint was lodged at Mahidharpura Police Station.
Later that evening, Mewada returned home and promised to visit the office the next day. However, on April 16, he did not respond to calls. Shah and his family then went to the bank and operated the locker themselves, only to discover that the ornaments kept in around 10 boxes were missing. While returning from the bank, they received information that Mewada had died by suicide at his residence.
Investigation Reveals Extent of Loss and Possible Motives
After Mewada's death, Shah checked the records and contacted customers, finding that approximately 400 customers had deposited about 2.24 kg of gold and 29.75 kg of silver ornaments as collateral. Combined with his family's missing jewellery, the total loss amounted to Rs 4.2 crore.
Investigations further revealed that Mewada had taken 14 gold loans worth Rs 12.71 lakh from Manappuram Finance by mortgaging about 262 grams of gold. A Crime Branch official stated, "We are also investigating whether Mewada had fallen into debt due to cricket betting or some other habit, as the complainant believes other persons might be involved." The case continues to unfold as authorities probe deeper into the alleged theft and its connections.
