A major daylight-style robbery unfolded during the early hours of Sunday in the Sultanpur town of Kota district, Rajasthan. Targeting Dev Jewelers located at the Bhora Chowk, a gang of more than 5 masked miscreants managed to uproot and decamp with the entire safe in a mere 3 minutes. According to the owner and businessman Parmanand Gurjar, the stolen safe contained fresh stocks of gold and silver jewelry procured specially for the upcoming Diwali festival, along with cash. The total estimated value of the stolen valuables is pegged at around 70 lakh rupees.
Method of Operation and Surveillance Evasion
The incident took place around 4:30 AM on Sunday when the culprits arrived at the scene in a Swift car. Executing a calculated plan, the thieves first switched off the street lights on the main road surrounding the shop to ensure darkness. They then broke the lock of the shutter, partially lifted it, and forced their way inside. Once inside, the perpetrators promptly unplugged the CCTV camera installed in the shop to prevent recording. However, the entire sequence of the crime got captured on a CCTV camera installed at a neighboring shop.
Discovery by Morning Walkers
The theft came to light when local residents out for their morning Prabhat Pheri noticed the broken lock of the establishment. They immediately alerted the shop owner, following which the burglary was confirmed and a large crowd of onlookers gathered at the spot. Parmanand Gurjar reiterated that the heavy safe contained cash alongside precious metal ornaments, bringing the aggregate loss to roughly 70 lakh rupees.
Questions Over Security and Guard Deployment
Bhora Chowk is considered a prominent intersection in Sultanpur. Despite the routine deployment of Home Guard jawans at this key crossing, the execution of such a massive theft has raised serious questions regarding local law and order. Expressing intense anger over the security lapse, local traders and business owners have demanded the swift arrest of the culprits and a substantial upgrade in market surveillance. Police are currently scanning various CCTV footages to identify the suspects and trace their whereabouts.
