Artisan who fled with Rs 4.51 crore gold in Mumbai, arrested from West Bengal

Mumbai: The city police have arrested a 45-year-old jewellery manufacturer from West Bengal in connection with the alleged theft of gold worth over Rs 4.51 crore entrusted to him for making ornaments. Complainant Sanjay Jain registered a complaint with the Dadar police station.Police said the incident took place between May 14 and May 15, at Patilwadi near Maruti Temple in Dadar. Investigators said the complainant and two witnesses allegedly handed over 2,959.03 grams of gold, valued at Rs 4.51 crore, to the accused, Tanmay Lalmohan Maiti, to design jewellery. However, after taking possession of the gold, the accused allegedly failed to return either the ornaments or the raw material, shut down his jewellery manufacturing unit and absconded.During the probe, police gathered information from an employee working at the accused’s shop regarding his movements. Investigators traced a Rapido ride allegedly booked by the accused to Diva in Thane district and subsequently obtained technical surveillance inputs and driver details.Police also received information from the accused’s relatives in Mumbai that he fled to his native village in West Bengal by air. A police team was then dispatched to West Bengal, where the accused was tracked down and arrested from the Hooghly rural area with the help of technical intelligence. After obtaining transit remand from a local court, the accused was brought to Mumbai. Police said efforts are underway to recover the stolen gold and identify other persons who may be involved in the offence. Further investigation is in progress.