The New Indian Express ·
Artisan flees Gujarat with Rs 1 crore worth gold; police track him down to West Bengal
AHMEDABAD: A goldsmith allegedly fled with nearly 660 grams of pure gold worth over a crore rupees after taking it from a jeweller in Surat on the pretext of making ornaments. Sarthana Police traced the accused to West Bengal and arrested him.
The accused has been identified as Biltu Balram Samanta, a native of Kolkata who was residing in Surat. Police brought him back to Surat and began legal proceedings to recover the allegedly misappropriated gold.
According to the complaint, Sandip Limbani, the proprietor of a jewellery shop in Surat, met Biltu about a year ago through a mutual acquaintance. During their initial meetings, Biltu claimed that he had a team of skilled artisans. He also showed Limbani jewellery designs on his mobile phone and said he had set up a workshop in Mahidharpura, Surat. He then sought work orders from the jeweller.
Biltu initially completed several assignments satisfactorily and gained Limbani’s trust. Later, they agreed that the accused would make ornaments using 24-carat pure gold supplied by Limbani in multiple instalments.
However, the ornaments were neither completed nor returned even after considerable time. Suspicious of the delay, Limbani visited Biltu’s workshop and found it locked. His mobile phone was also switched off.
Limbani later managed to contact Biltu. The artisan allegedly said he had gone to Kolkata because his workers had returned to their hometowns. He assured Limbani that he would return soon and deliver the gold.
The assurances continued, but the gold was not returned. Sandip then approached the police and lodged a complaint, alleging that the gold had been taken under false promise.
Sarthana Police launched an investigation and used technical analysis and Call Detail Records (CDR) to trace Biltu.
The investigation led police to Biltu's hometown, where they received information about his whereabouts. A police team travelled to the state and apprehended him.
Biltu was subsequently brought back to Surat. Police initiated proceedings to seek his remand for questioning and to recover the allegedly misappropriated gold. Further investigation is still going on.