Brutal Heist in Rajkot: 4 Armed Robbers Shoot Gold Factory Manager Dead, Loot 1kg Gold and 3kg Silver

In a brazen daylight heist that sent shockwaves through the city's trade community, four armed robbers shot dead a 53-year-old factory manager in the Aji GIDC area on Wednesday evening before escaping with one kilogram of gold and three kilograms of silver jewellery. The brazen attack, estimated to be worth over INR 1.5 crore, shattered local security and triggered an immediate, massive dragnet across the city.

The victim, Laljibhai Lavjibhai Sardhara, had worked as a manager at Tanvi Gold factory for the past 15 years. According to police, Sardhara left the factory's warehouse on an Activa scooter carrying a bag filled with gold and silver ornaments to head toward the main production unit.

Two of the four suspects who had been lying in wait in a black car for nearly half an hour intercepted him near the facility. When Sardhara resisted their attempt to snatch the bag, the assailants opened fire, discharging three rounds into him before grabbing the loot and fleeing in their vehicle. Severely injured, Sardhara was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Massive Police Mobilization and Citywide Naka Bandi

The brazen daylight murder triggered a massive law enforcement response. Rajkot's Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), along with specialized teams from the Thorala Police Station, Crime Branch, Special Operations Group (SOG), Local Crime Branch (LCB), and Prohibition Crime Branch (PCB), descended on the crime scene.

• Citywide Lockdown: Police activated checkpoints and barricades across Rajkot, ordering surrounding districts to intercept the suspects' black car.
• CCTV Scrutiny: Multiple investigative teams were assigned to scour CCTV footage along all possible escape routes to track the suspects' trajectory.
• Security Questions: Investigators are probing how the armed robbers managed to breach the industrial estate's security checkpoints, examining whether the heist was the result of a pre-planned inside conspiracy.

Gelt Dealers Announce Half-Day Market Shutdown

The brutal killing of the veteran manager has plunged the local business community into grief and anger. A grieving crowd of relatives and fellow workers gathered outside the hospital, where emotional scenes unfolded.

In protest against the rising law enforcement failure and the fatal shooting, the Rajkot Gold Dealers Association announced a half-day market shutdown. Association President Bhayabhai Saholiya confirmed that all member bullion and jewellery businesses will keep their shutters down from morning until afternoon.