Mangaluru: Panambur police investigating the robbery of jewellery businessman Vikas Dhanwade on the Baikampady highway have arrested four more accused, taking the total number of arrests in the case to seven. The latest arrests include Mithun Lal and Srirag, both from Kannur in Kerala, and Ubed and Ziyad, both from Madikeri.
Police have also seized two vehicles allegedly used in the robbery, along with a 10-gram gold ring and weapons suspected to have been used during the attack. However, Shijin Gangadharan, identified by investigators as the main accused, remains absconding.
Four more accused arrested
The Panambur police arrested Mithun Lal, Srirag, Ubed and Ziyad as part of the continuing investigation into the June 29 robbery.
According to information available, Mithun was arrested near KPT Junction in Mangaluru, while Ubed and Ziyad were apprehended at Padil.
Srirag, a native of Kannur, reportedly surrendered before the police through a lawyer after investigators established his alleged involvement in the case.
Police had reportedly searched his residence after learning about his alleged connection with the robbery.
The accused had reportedly been seeking anticipatory bail through lawyers, but police proceeded with the arrests as the investigation progressed.
Police seize vehicles and weapons
During the investigation, police recovered an Innova and a Swift car allegedly used in the crime.
A 10-gram gold ring was also recovered. Police reportedly seized an iron rod and another weapon allegedly used to attack the jewellery businessman.
Investigators are examining the vehicles and other material recovered during the operation to establish the roles played by individual accused persons.
The recovery of the vehicles could also help police reconstruct the movements of the accused before and after the robbery.
Main accused Shijin remains missing
Shijin Gangadharan, identified as the main accused, has not yet been arrested.
Police have released photographs of 13 persons in connection with the case and appealed for information and cooperation in tracing those suspected of involvement.
Investigators believe that more people could be connected to the robbery and have continued their search for the absconding accused.
The police are also trying to establish who ultimately took possession of the stolen gold and cash.
How the robbery took place
Jewellery entrepreneur Vikas Dhanwade was reportedly returning from Sangli in Maharashtra on June 29 when he was intercepted by a group of men travelling in an Innova and a Swift on the Baikampady highway near Panambur.
According to the complaint filed at Panambur police station, the robbers allegedly attacked him and escaped with property valued at around Rs 20 lakh.
The stolen property reportedly included approximately 180 grams of gold and cash.
The circumstances of the robbery led investigators to suspect that the attackers may have believed the businessman was carrying a larger amount of money.
Swift car found abandoned
The day after the robbery, the Swift Dzire allegedly used in the crime was found abandoned at Pacchinadka near Bantwal.
Police reportedly noticed that the seat of the vehicle had been torn open.
The condition of the vehicle suggested that those involved may have searched inside it for gold bars or hawala cash.
Investigators are examining the abandoned vehicle as part of their efforts to understand what the accused were expecting to find during the robbery.
The discovery also helped police trace the movements of the suspects following the incident.
Earlier arrests in the case
Within two days of the robbery, police had arrested Nimil, a native of Kannur, along with Irshad and Mustafa, both from Kodagu.
The three were allegedly involved in helping the suspects escape following the robbery.
With the latest four arrests, the total number of people arrested in connection with the case has now reached seven.
However, police suspect that several more people may have played a role in planning, executing or assisting the accused after the crime.
Police investigating suspected robbery plan
During questioning, the arrested accused reportedly told police that they did not find a large quantity of gold or cash during the robbery.
According to their statements, only a gold ring was obtained and was later sold by the accused. Police have since recovered and seized the ring.
Investigators are now working to verify the statements made by the accused and establish the actual whereabouts of the remaining stolen property.
Police are also examining whether the gang had prior information about the jewellery businessman and his movements.
Shijin’s alleged background under investigation
According to information gathered during interrogation, Shijin, a native of Kannur, had reportedly been doing business in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, for several years.
Investigators suspect that he occasionally returned to his native place and allegedly formed groups to plan robberies.
Police are examining this aspect of the investigation to determine whether the current case was an isolated incident or whether the accused could be connected to other similar crimes.
Any links between the suspects and previous robbery cases will also need to be established through further investigation.
Why the accused targeted the vehicle
An interesting aspect of the case is that the robbers reportedly did not take the substantial gold jewellery worn by Vikas Dhanwade’s wife.
Instead, the accused allegedly focused on the vehicle and the belongings inside it.
Investigators suspect that the gang may have believed the vehicle contained hawala money or a larger quantity of gold.
The fact that the accused allegedly ignored jewellery worn by the businessman’s wife could support the theory that they were specifically looking for cash or valuables believed to be hidden inside the vehicle.
However, police are yet to establish the exact motive and source of the information that allegedly led the gang to target the businessman.
Search continues for remaining suspects
The Mangaluru police have already released photographs of 13 persons suspected to be connected with the case and asked them to cooperate with investigators.
The release of the photographs indicates that the investigation extends beyond the seven people arrested so far.
Police are continuing efforts to locate Shijin and other suspects who remain at large.
Investigators are also attempting to determine whether Shijin was able to take possession of any of the stolen gold or cash following the robbery.
The recovery of vehicles, the gold ring and alleged weapons is expected to provide additional evidence as investigators piece together the sequence of events.
Investigation continues
The Panambur jewellery robbery has involved a coordinated investigation spanning Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Kerala and other locations.
With seven arrests made so far, police have made progress in identifying members of the alleged group. However, the recovery of the entire stolen property and the arrest of the alleged main accused remain key objectives.
Police are continuing to question the arrested persons and verify their statements while searching for the remaining suspects.
The investigation is expected to establish how the robbery was planned, who supplied information about the victim’s movements, what happened to the stolen property and the precise role of each accused.
Until those aspects are established through the investigation and court proceedings, the allegations against the arrested and absconding suspects remain subject to due legal process.