MARGAO: In a significant breakthrough, the Konkan Railway Police, led by DySP Gurudas Kadam, has made further recoveries in the gold robbery case that occurred on a running train in Canacona. The police have seized approximately Rs 30 lakh worth of gold and Rs 4.05 lakh from Belagavi, Karnataka, based on information provided by the accused, Akshay Chinval.
According to the Konkan Railway Police, the accused, Santosh Shirtode, a gold melter, has been arrested from Shahpur, Belgaum, and the recovery has been made. He is scheduled to be produced before the JMFC court in Margao for remand on Monday.
In connection with the case, the police have arrested Sandeep Vasant Bhosale, a 40-year-old resident of Kavthe Mahankal, Sangli; Akshay Rama Chinwal, a 28-year-old native of Khanapur, Belagavi, Karnataka; Archana alias Archee More from Taloja, Mumbai; and Dhanpat Hansraj Baid, a 44-year-old from Parel East, Mumbai.
Earlier, the police had recovered stolen gold bars in melted form, weighing approximately 1,900 grams and valued at over one crore, from Dhanpat Hansraj Baid. Additionally, a cash amount of Rs 50,000 was also seized.
The Konkan Railway Police registered the offence on May 2 this year, based on a complaint filed by Ashok R, an office boy working for Madhu Ornaments in Mumbai. The complaint pertained to the theft of a trolley bag/suitcase containing freshly made gold ornaments (bangles) weighing over 7 kgs, with an estimated value of over Rs four crore. The theft occurred while Ashok R was traveling from Panvel to Thiruvananthapuram on the Gandhidham Tirunelveli Humsafar Superfast Express, when the train had stopped at Canacona Railway Station. The offense has been registered against two unknown persons under Section 379 read with 34 IPC.
The investigation into the case is ongoing under the supervision of DySP Gurudas Kadam.
