A jewellery workshop in Kandivali West was robbed of gold ornaments worth rS20.5 lakh when a newly hired artisan allegedly fled with the valuables just days after joining. Police have indicated that financial distress among jewellery workers following the rise in silver prices may have contributed to the crime.
The incident occurred on February 9 at SS Gold Polishing and Designing, owned by Safiqul Islam Habibur Rahman Mandal. CCTV footage reportedly captured the main suspect, Aslam, running out of the shop with gold ornaments.
Police have arrested two associates, Sahil Shaikh (22) and Ajifar Mujid Shaikh (30), in Hyderabad. Both had been living with the main suspect in Nalasopara and worked at a silver jewellery unit in Vasai.
The theft involved:
9 gold bracelets weighing 104 grams
Gold rings totaling 33 grams
Total estimated value: rS20.5 lakh
Police have registered a case at Kandivali Police Station. While some gold has been recovered from the arrested suspects, Aslam and one other accomplice remain at large. Authorities are investigating whether the group has committed similar thefts elsewhere.
