A diamond theft worth ₹43.11 lakh turned into an eight-hour police chase across Gujarat after three people allegedly posing as beggars stole a packet of diamonds from a merchant’s office in Botad and escaped by autorickshaw and train.
The investigation took an unexpected turn when police finally caught the suspects at Bavla railway station in Ahmedabad district. Instead of finding only the 1,437 carats reported stolen, officers recovered 1,885.75 carats of diamonds—around 448.75 carats more than the quantity linked to the original theft.
Police are now trying to determine where the additional diamonds came from and who owns them.
Woman Enters Diamond Office Disguised as Beggar
The incident took place on Sunday at the office of diamond merchant Ashok Javer Kankotia at Neelam Hira Bazaar in Botad.
According to the police investigation, three people posing as beggars entered the premises and allegedly stole the diamonds before escaping within about 15 minutes.
CCTV footage became a key part of the investigation. One camera showed a woman wearing a saffron-coloured top and leggings entering the building through the back door at around 1:09 pm.
She remained inside until about 1:23 pm, when she was seen leaving with a small packet believed to contain the stolen diamonds.
Kankotia later approached the police, filing a complaint at 7:47 pm.
CCTV Helps Police Trace Their Escape
Investigators began following the suspects’ movements through CCTV footage.
The woman was seen taking an autorickshaw after leaving the diamond market. Police questioned the driver, who told them where he had dropped her.
The location led investigators to a hut near the railway tracks in Khodiyarnagar, Botad. But by the time police reached the hut, it was locked.
Another CCTV camera near the location provided the next important clue. It showed the same woman travelling with two men and a child before the group boarded another autorickshaw.
Police questioned that vehicle’s driver and learned that he had dropped the group at the Botad railway station at around 4:31 pm.
Suspects Board Train Towards Ahmedabad
With the investigation now moving to the railway network, police sought help from the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
Officials determined that the suspects had boarded a local train travelling from Botad towards Ahmedabad at around 5 pm.
Railway technical teams helped investigators track the train’s movement. The train was heading towards Dholka and Bavla, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, after passing Koth station.
Once it became clear that the suspects had entered Ahmedabad district, Botad Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Sharma alerted Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police Om Prakash.
Ahmedabad Rural Police immediately deployed teams at Bavla railway station and circulated photographs and CCTV footage of the suspects.
Police Set Up Trap at Bavla Station
Before the train reached Bavla, police and the RPF coordinated to secure the station’s platform and exit points.
At around 8:30 pm, the Botad-Ahmedabad train arrived at Bavla station. Police teams began checking different coaches.
The suspects were eventually spotted getting down from the second coach. A woman wearing traditional clothes was accompanied by two men, and they were carrying bags.
Police stopped them carefully to avoid creating panic among other passengers.
Initially, the suspects allegedly denied involvement in the diamond theft.
However, a search of their belongings changed the situation.
Police Recover 1,885.75 Carats
Investigators found diamonds hidden inside a leather purse and 14 envelopes.
A local jeweller was brought in to help determine the quantity of diamonds recovered. The stones were found to weigh 1,885.75 carats.
That figure immediately raised a new question.
The original theft involved 1,437 carats, valued at approximately ₹43.11 lakh. The recovered quantity was therefore 448.75 carats higher than the amount police were initially searching for.
Police are now investigating the source and ownership of these additional diamonds.
Three Arrested
The suspects were identified as:
Sapna, 31, from Kalavad in Jamnagar
Bachu Ramu Bhada Sadmiya, Sapna’s father, also from Kalavad
Vina Dheeru Devshi Jiliya, 30, a resident of Botad
The two men were arrested at around 10:50 pm on Sunday, while Sapna was arrested on Monday morning.
They have been booked in connection with house-breaking and theft.
The investigation remains underway, particularly into the 448.75 additional carats recovered during the operation and whether they are connected to another theft or belong to a different owner.
Also Read: Arrest, Fresh Charges, Then Death: Gujarati Doctor Found Dead In Florida Jail https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarati-doctor-faces-child-sexual-abuse-found-dead-florida-jail/
