Report : Manmeen Walia, New Delhi
A joint team of PS Farsh Bazar and ARSC, Crime Branch, Delhi, successfully solved a sensational daylight robbery that took place in Shahdara,Delhi on 15Sep, the robbers, impersonating police personnel, entered a jewelry workshop and decamped with ₹20 lakh in cash and 1.4 kg of gold, creating panic among shopkeepers in Farsh Bazaar Market.
The Farsh Bazar police team, did so well under the supervision of ACP Sanjeev Kumar and DCP Prashant Gautam and arrested Vikas Kedar, an employee of the victim’s shop, from Jaipur on 17 Sep.
Where as ARSC Crime Branch team, also worked smartly under the supervision of ACP Sanjay Kumar Nagpal and traced two more accused through technical surveillance. Acting on the lead, the team coordinated with the local Crime Branch in Sangli, Maharashtra, and apprehended Prashant Raj Kumar Kadam and Shubham Raja Ram Kamble in an overnight operation on 19 Sep.
During interrogation, accused Prashant disclosed that Jeevan and Vikas are his friends, whom he had met about three years ago at a blood donation camp at Sangli. Around 15–20 days prior to the incident, Vikas and Jeevan contacted him and proposed a plan to commit a robbery at their workshop, situated at Farsh Bazaar, Delhi, where large amount of cash, silver and gold were usually kept. They suggested that the robbery be carried out by impersonating police personnel so as to avoid any resistance from the staff. To execute this plan, Prashant roped-in his friend Shubham. On 13Sep, both Prashant and Shubham left Sangli, Maharashtra by Goa Express and reached Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi, on 15Sep from the railway station, Prashant called Vikas, who instructed them to proceed to Shahdara Metro Station. Once they arrived there, Vikas guided them turn by turn over a WhatsApp call to reach the workshop. He also instructed them to wait nearby and strike at the right time when the owner of the workshop would leave for lunch.
At about 13:50 Hrs, when the owner, Shankar Pujari, went out for lunch, Prashant and Shubham entered the shop impersonating themselves as police officials and robbed the workshop of ₹12,37,500 in cash, 1.4 kg of gold (including jewelry) and 2.8 kg of silver. After committing the robbery, since they were unfamiliar with Delhi and its routes, they took Vikas along with them. Vikas led them to Uttam Nagar through Auto-Rickshaw, from where they hired a taxi to Jaipur. After reaching Jaipur, Vikas made Prashant and Shubham board a bus to Mumbai while he himself stayed back in Jaipur. Subsequently, Vikas called his employer and concocted a false story of his own kidnapping and robbery to divert suspicion.
Profile of Accused:
1. Vikas Kedar (30), resident of Inam Dhamni, Sangli, Maharashtra – employee of the jewelry workshop, planned the robbery due to financial need.
2. Prashant Raj Kumar Kadam (25), resident of Village Soni, Sangli, Maharashtra – aspiring police officer, previously involved in a case of attempt to murder and rioting in 2020.
3. Shubham Raja Ram Kamble (25), resident of Village Kalambi, Sangli, Maharashtra – childhood friend of Prashant, currently working as Security Supervisor in Sangli.
The police teams have seized the following from the possession and instance of the accused:
• Cash amounting to ₹11,91,000
• 1,400 grams of gold items
• 2,800 grams of silver items
• Two mobile phones
Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, DCP Crime Branch-I, stated that the timely and well-coordinated efforts of the teams not only led to the arrest of the accused but also ensured the recovery of the looted cash, gold, and silver. He emphasized that the operation reflects the commitment and efficiency of Delhi Police in tackling serious crimes and restoring public confidence. He further assured that the investigation is being pursued in depth to identify and apprehend any remaining associates connected to the case. The case remains under further investigation.
