A robbery investigation in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district has led to the arrest of six people, including the alleged mastermind, after police traced the group through a dispute over the distribution of stolen cash and jewellery. The Kota police said they have recovered the stolen property along with a pistol, a car, a motorcycle and six mobile phones.

The arrests relate to two incidents reported in the Kota area in July. In the first case, a railway employee carrying a collection of ₹7,430 was allegedly robbed near the Salka Dam area. Ten days later, a group allegedly entered a woman’s house wearing burqas and robbed her of gold jewellery after assaulting her and threatening her with a weapon. 

Railway Employee Robbed of ₹7,430

According to police, the first incident took place on July 8, 2026, when a railway employee was returning from Belgahna railway station with collection money.

The employee was allegedly targeted near the Salka Dam area at the Bade Barmaad Morh. The accused reportedly snatched his bag containing ₹7,430 and pushed him to the ground before fleeing.

Kota police registered a case and began investigating the incident, examining available evidence and statements while also developing information about possible suspects. 

Burqa Used During House Robbery

The second incident was reported on July 18 at the house of Rajkumari Jaiswal.

Police said the accused entered the house wearing burqas and allegedly assaulted the woman before threatening her with an air gun and taking gold ornaments. The stolen jewellery reportedly included three fruit-shaped pendants and two wheat-grain-shaped pieces, collectively valued at around ₹50,000.

A separate case was registered at Kota police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. 

Dispute Among Suspects Led to Breakthrough

Police said the investigation gained momentum after a dispute among members of the alleged group.

On September 2, the suspects reportedly got into a fight near a petrol pump in Kota. One of those involved approached the police and lodged a complaint about the altercation.

During questioning, police allegedly learned that the dispute was connected to the distribution of the money and jewellery obtained through the robberies. Investigators then conducted searches at different locations and arrested all six accused.

Police subsequently claimed that the stolen property had been fully recovered.

Rakesh Jaiswal Named Alleged Mastermind

According to the police investigation, Rakesh Jaiswal, 35, of Manjgaon in Kota, allegedly planned the two incidents with Divyanshu Jaiswal and Adarsh Tiwari.

Police said the group required a firearm for the planned robberies and contacted Sunny Singh for assistance. According to investigators, Sunny took the group to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, where a pistol was allegedly arranged through his brother.

The police have described Rakesh as the alleged mastermind. The allegations are part of the ongoing criminal investigation and will be subject to judicial proceedings.

Stolen Gold Allegedly Sold to Jeweller

Investigators also traced the disposal of the stolen jewellery.

Police said Harsh Namdev helped sell the gold ornaments to Harsh Soni, a jeweller from the Firingipara area. Both were subsequently arrested along with the alleged robbery suspects.

The six arrested accused were identified as Rakesh Jaiswal, Divyanshu Jaiswal, Adarsh Tiwari, Harsh Namdev, Harsh Soni and Sunny Singh. All were sent to judicial remand, according to police reports. 

Pistol, Car, Bike and Mobiles Recovered

Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of a pistol, gold ornaments, an Ertiga car, a motorcycle and six mobile phones. Reports citing the police said the recovered property represented the full amount of stolen material linked to the two cases.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Madhulika Singh and Kota SDOP Nupur Upadhyay. Senior Superintendent of Police Rajnesh Singh also praised the police team and announced a cash reward for the personnel involved in the investigation. 

Thieves broke into a manager's locked home in Tatibandh's Parthivi Pacific, making off with jewellery and cash worth ₹5.55 lakh while the family was away

Broad Daylight Strike

A brazen daytime burglary has rattled residents of Parthivi Pacific, a gated colony in Tatibandh, Raipur, after unidentified thieves broke into a locked flat and escaped with gold and silver jewellery along with cash — totalling nearly ₹5.55 lakh. The incident, which falls under the Amanaka police station limits, came to light on Thursday afternoon and has since triggered unease across several neighbouring residential complexes.

The targeted flat belongs to Swapneshwar Harichandhan, a manager employed at Godawari Power and Ispat Limited in Siltara. According to the complaint filed, his wife and children had left for their native village in Odisha for the summer holidays. Harichandhan locked his Daffodil Block residence in the morning before leaving for work — as he does on any ordinary day.

Returned to a Ransacked Home

Around 3 in the afternoon, when he came back, the main door was visibly forced open. Inside, the bedroom told a worse story. The Godrej almirah had been broken into, the locker pried open, and the contents cleared out. Whoever had entered knew exactly where to look.

Initial reports indicate the thieves worked quickly and left without drawing attention — a pattern, police note, that is increasingly common in organised residential burglaries.

What Was Taken

The list of stolen items, as reported by the victim to Amanaka police, includes gold rings, a mangalsutra, six pairs of earrings, a child's gold bangle, a locket, gold bangles, silver anklets, toe rings, a silver bowl and spoon set, silver coins, and ₹5,000 in cash. The combined value of the haul has been estimated at ₹5.55 lakh.

Footage Being Reviewed

Police reached the spot shortly after receiving the complaint. Teams are currently reviewing CCTV footage from cameras installed in and around the colony. According to officials, a case has been registered against unidentified accused and the investigation is underway. No arrests have been made so far.

Sources familiar with the matter said police are also speaking to local contacts and checking entry-exit movement from the colony during the afternoon window.

Fear Grips the Neighbourhood

The incident has left Parthivi Pacific and surrounding colonies unsettled. Residents, many of whom are working professionals with families frequently away, say the timing — midday, in a guarded complex — is what concerns them most.

Local residents have demanded increased police patrolling in the area and a review of the existing security arrangement at the colony gate. Several have raised the matter with the resident welfare association as well.

Amanaka police have assured that surveillance will be stepped up while the probe continues.

Raipur Jeweller Employee Steals Gold Worth Over ₹2 Crore

Employee Absconds with Jewellery Instead of Depositing in Locker

In a shocking case of internal theft, a long-time employee of a reputed jewellery shop in Raipur's Sadar Bazaar allegedly stole gold ornaments valued at more than ₹2 crore. The incident has left the business owner stunned, as the accused had been working at the shop for 16 years and was entrusted with daily closing responsibilities.

Police have registered a case of embezzlement against the employee, identified as Suraj Sahu, and are actively searching for him. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the employee carrying away the jewellery.

Trusted Employee Betrays Faith

The victim, businessman Suresh Bhansali, owns Manoharmal & Company, a well-known gold and silver trading shop in Sadar Bazaar under the Purani Basti police station limits. According to police, Sahu was responsible for displaying jewellery during the day and securing it in the locker before the shop closed.

On April 9, 2026, after the shop shut for the day around evening, Sahu reportedly took the ornaments with him instead of placing them in the locker. The theft went unnoticed initially due to his long association with the business.

Stock Discrepancy Triggers Probe

The matter came to light on April 13 during a routine stock matching exercise. A significant shortfall was detected—1495 grams and 670 milligrams of gold jewellery missing. Bhansali immediately questioned all staff members, but none provided any leads.

Suspicion grew after reviewing CCTV footage from the shop. The recording clearly showed Sahu at around 4:21 PM on April 9, collecting and taking away multiple pieces of gold jewellery of various designs.

CCTV Footage Exposes the Theft

The visuals, now with investigators, have become the primary evidence. Police sources said the stolen items include assorted gold ornaments whose market value is estimated at over ₹2 crore. The precise valuation is still being ascertained based on current gold rates and designs.

Kotwali Inspector Satish Singh confirmed that a formal complaint was lodged by the shop owner. A case has been registered, and teams have been dispatched to trace the accused, who is currently absconding. One suspect has been taken into custody for questioning, officials added.

Long Association Raises Questions

Sahu’s 16-year tenure at the shop has surprised both police and the business community. Colleagues described him as a familiar face who enjoyed the trust of the owner. This breach has prompted many local jewellers to review their internal security protocols, especially regarding staff responsibilities during closing hours.

Local traders in Sadar Bazaar expressed concern over rising incidents of theft in the jewellery sector. Just weeks earlier, another shop in the city, Lakshya Jewellers in Khamhardih, reported a similar late-night burglary involving gold and silver items worth around ₹1 crore.

Police Intensify Search

Investigating teams are checking possible hideouts of the accused and analysing technical evidence, including CCTV footage and call records. Inspector Singh stated that efforts are underway to recover the stolen gold and arrest Sahu at the earliest.

“Initial investigation points towards planned action. We are pursuing multiple leads,” a police officer familiar with the case said.

Authorities have appealed to the public for any information regarding Sahu’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, the shop owner has requested strict action and speedy recovery of the valuables.

Impact on Local Jewellery Trade

This incident comes at a time when gold prices remain high, making such thefts particularly lucrative yet damaging for businesses. For shop owners in busy markets like Sadar Bazaar, it highlights vulnerabilities in reliance on long-serving staff without additional safeguards.

Police investigations continue, and further details are expected in the coming days as teams track financial trails and possible buyers of the stolen jewellery.

The case has once again underscored the need for better surveillance, regular audits, and background checks even for trusted employees in the jewellery business.