Three held in ₹24 lakh angadia theft case during rathyatra security patrol in Ahmedabad

In a significant breakthrough during rathyatra security checks, the Naroda Police in Ahmedabad apprehended three individuals involved in a high-value theft of ₹24.01 lakh from an angadia firm employee. The accused were nabbed near the Nana Chiloda entry point into the city while attempting to divide the stolen cash.

As part of this operation, Naroda Police Station officers were conducting routine checks when they spotted three men behaving suspiciously while carrying bags.

Upon searching the suspects in the presence of witnesses, the police recovered ₹24.01 lakh in cash, bundled in ₹500 and ₹200 notes, and three mobile phones worth ₹17,000. 

The three individuals were identified as Bhaveshbhai Baldevbhai Mehriya (33), a driver residing in Odhav, Vishnuji alias Dholo Dhulaji Rathod (43), a farmer from Gandhinagar and Ashok Kumar alias Vishal alias Khodo Arjanji Chavda (30), employed and residing in Mehsana. 

The accused confessed during interrogation that they had targeted an Angadia firm employee from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, who was travelling by bus to Delhi on the night of June 17. The gang had planned and executed the theft, stealing a bag full of money from the unsuspecting employee. They had regrouped in Ahmedabad on June 20 to divide the proceeds when they were intercepted.

The seized property includes–

•  ₹19.74 lakh in ₹500 notes (3,949 notes) from a black bag
•  ₹4.26 lakh comprising ₹500 and ₹200 notes from another bag
•  ₹17,000 comprising three phones

The fourth accused, identified as Rohan Manojbhai Parmar, a resident of Mehsana, is currently absconding. The police have registered an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, and coordination has been initiated with UP Police for further action.

The swift action by the patrol team, consisting of senior inspectors and officers from Naroda Police Station, has not only prevented the distribution of stolen cash but also underlined the effectiveness of pre-rathyatra vigilance in the city. Further investigation is underway, and efforts are on to apprehend the remaining accused.