Malda Police has identified a gang of Bihar-based criminals allegedly involved in the robbery of a jewelery shop on Christmas.
On the evening of December 25, a gang of nine armed criminals barged into a jewelery shop – part of a chain of jewelery shops – in Chanchal and took away gold, silver, diamond jewelery and cash worth around Rs 5 crore.
District police chief Pradeep Kumar Yadav said the gang was led by Lalu Sahni, who was wanted in several cases in both Bengal and Bihar.
“He is the mastermind of this robbery. We have identified him by scanning the CCTV footage.’ One of his associates has been arrested in Chanchal. We have received information that this gangster is hiding in Jharkhand. Our officers are taking necessary steps to nab him,” Yadav said.
According to police sources, 34-year-old Shahjahan, who was associated with the gang, has been arrested from Neemgachi village of Mallikpada area of Chanchal.
“During our investigation, we learned that Shahjahan was working in a construction company in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He returned home a few months ago. He used to help Chanchal and Lalu Sahni’s gang. He helped the gang with cars and motorcycles used in crimes and when the gang members fled to Bihar to avoid arrest, he provided them shelter,” said a police officer.
Police sources said that Lalu is a notorious criminal with various associates.
“Even in Jharkhand his colleagues are protecting him. Therefore the police cannot be hasty in arresting him. He is involved in several robberies and murders in Bihar,” said a source.
Police sources said the gang targets jewelery chains rather than individual shops.
police escort
The playful robbery prompted police from other districts in the state to alert jewelery shop owners and employees. In Alipurduar, where four attempts were made to loot jewelery shops last month, Alipurduar SP Y. Raghuvanshi said shop owners have been offered police escorts when they move jewelery between their homes and shops. Safety measures to prevent train accidents: Supreme Court seeks details from Center
