In a major breakthrough, police apprehended four members of a criminal gang—including the leader—17 months after a high-profile burglary in Jaisalmer. The arrests were made following a four-day surveillance operation in the Aravalli hills near Chittorgarh-Begun, an area inhabited by leopards and hyenas. The accused were caught sleeping at their hilltop hideout.
Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena identified the arrested suspects as Saniya alias Sameer Kanjar (30), Anil Kanjar (20), Ramesh Chandra Ganwar (28), and jeweller Basant Kumar Soni (54). Their criminal records reveal multiple prior cases, with Basant booked under the SC/ST Act.
The burglary, which took place on August 28, 2024, targeted Maheshwari’s residence, where 113 tolas of gold, 4.8 kg of silver, and Rs 3 lakh in cash were stolen. The Dhorimanna police registered the case and launched an intensive investigation involving ASP Jasaram Bose, CO Sukhram Vishnoi, and technical teams.
The gang sold the stolen goods to a jeweller in Ladpura and evaded capture by hiding in dense Aravalli forests, using a six-wheeler truck for transportation. They avoided using mobile phones and stayed away from their homes, parking their vehicle at highway hotels far from their hideout.
Police set up a command center 5 km from the hills and used drones and binoculars for continuous surveillance. The operation culminated in pre-dawn arrests of Sameer Kanjar and Anil Kanjar. Rameshchand was detained near the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border while trying to escape to Tamil Nadu. Subsequent questioning led to the arrest of Basant Kumar Soni in Ladpura.
Investigations are ongoing as police continue to interrogate the accused.
