Kerala Police’s cross-country operation: Three arrested, 76g gold recovered in high-stakes case

KOCHI: Following a month-long pursuit across some of India’s most challenging terrains, the Kerala Police have successfully dismantled a robbery gang responsible for a Rs 20 lakh gold heist at a Thrikkakara-based exporting firm. The investigation, which began after the theft last January, led to the arrests of West Bengal natives Prashant Sarkar, Rafiqul Munsi, and Rahul Pandit, two of whom were trusted employees of the firm before they vanished with the loot.

The breakthrough came when the Cyber Cell tracked the primary accused, Prashant Sarkar, to the remote reaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Under orders from the Kochi City Commissioner, a specialised team led by Thrikkakara SI Anas launched a high-stakes mission that required travelling 300 kilometres from Diglipur through treacherous forest paths inhabited by wild animals. Their persistence paid off when they cornered and arrested Sarkar deep within the territory.

While the primary suspect was hiding in the islands, his accomplices were playing an elaborate game of cat and mouse on the mainland. Rafiqul Munsi was eventually discovered in Surat, Gujarat, where he was living in disguise and had abandoned his mobile phone to sever any digital ties to the crime. Meanwhile, the third member of the group, Rahul Pandit, was apprehended during a daring midnight raid on a criminal hideout in Kolkata.

Interestingly, the gang’s downfall was hastened by their own greed. An argument erupted between Prashant and Rafiqul over the division of the spoils; Prashant claimed a larger share because he had personally secured 92 grams of the gold. The dispute escalated when Rafiqul and Rahul attempted to forcibly snatch the bag, causing Prashant to flee and leave the stolen goods behind.

In total, the police have recovered approximately 76 grams of the 141 grams originally stolen. Officers also seized Rs 2 lakh in cash—proceeds from the sale of the remaining gold—along with several mobile phones. While three suspects are now in custody, the Kerala Police confirm that the hunt continues for one final individual linked to the case.