A shocking betrayal in Ludhiana saw a Jagraon-based money changer robbed by his own security guard and accomplices, police said. The robbery involved 30,000 Canadian dollars (Rs 20 lakh) and occurred near the Verka Milk Plant on January 5.
Nitin Goyal, the money changer, had hired Sarabjit Singh, an ex-serviceman, as a private security guard nine months ago after receiving a threat. Unbeknownst to Goyal, Sarabjit conspired with his aides to target him.
The accused booked in the case are Sarabjit Singh (48) of Talwandi Rai, Ludhiana; Harjeet Singh (51) and Sakattar Singh (48) of Amritsar; Stephen Masih (34) of Gurdaspur; and Jaspal Singh of Amritsar, who is yet to be arrested. Sarabjit, Harjeet, Sakattar, and Stephen have been taken into custody.
Goyal told police that his driver, Ravi Kumar, was sent to Ludhiana via bus to deliver the cash. Near the Verka Milk Plant, a group of men intercepted him, claiming to be CIA officers. They seized the cash bag under the pretense of inspection and fled in a Toyota Innova. Goyal later realized the men were impostors and filed a complaint.
Investigators revealed that Sarabjit, aware of Goyal’s cash dealings, planned the heist with his accomplices. On January 5, three accused boarded the same bus as Ravi while another followed in the Innova. They staged the CIA impersonation to steal the cash.
Inspector Avtar Singh, CIA-1 in-charge, stated that Sarabjit has a criminal history including four FIRs for snatching and loot under the Arms Act and a 2019 car-snatching arrest. Authorities suspect Goyal did not verify Sarabjit’s police record before hiring him, relying on his ex-serviceman status.
Police recovered the stolen Canadian dollars, the Toyota Innova, and two licensed .32 bore pistols with 12 live cartridges belonging to Sarabjit and Harjeet. Raids are ongoing to apprehend the fifth accused.
