Duo held for spiking drinks, robbing pilgrims in Dwarka

Rajkot: The Devbhumi Dwarka local crime branch (LCB) has arrested two men for allegedly drugging elderly pilgrims visiting the Dwarkadhish Temple and robbing them of their valuables.The accused were identified as Kalu Vaghela, a resident of Langala village in Umrala taluka of Bhavnagar district, and Haresh alias Haklo Devipujak from Mayadhar village in Palitana taluka. Police said jewellery, cash and mobile phones worth Rs 3.14 lakh were recovered from their possession.Devbhumi Dwarka superintendent of police Jayrajsinh Vala said the duo was apprehended near a railway crossing on the Khambhaliya–Porbandar highway following a tip-off. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that they targeted elderly pilgrims at religious places by offering them drinks laced with intoxicants and robbing them after they lost consciousness. Police added that both accused have previous criminal records in Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts.In one case, Ruda Mundhva (60), a resident of Tarsai village in Jamjodhpur taluka of Jamnagar district, told police that he and his uncle were offered sugarcane juice by two unknown men during their visit to Dwarka. Soon after consuming the drink, both lost consciousness. The accused allegedly fled with gold jewellery worth Rs 1.6 lakh and Rs 35,000 in cash. The victims were later treated at private and government hospitals.In another incident in Feb, Devji Sonagara (66), resident of Bhatvadia village in Kalyanpur taluka, told police that while walking to Dwarka with his family, two men offered him a cold drink. Soon after consuming it, he felt dizzy and the accused allegedly fled with gold jewellery worth Rs 1.3 lakh and Rs 700 in cash. He was later admitted to GG Hospital in Jamnagar for treatment.Police said two separate complaints were registered at Dwarka police station in March against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the BNS.