Rajkot: The multi-crore silver theft that shook Rajkot’s bullion market is unfolding into a wider smuggling network, with a joint investigation by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch and Rajkot Police revealing the alleged involvement of a lawyer and bullion traders. Police have so far recovered 111 kg of the stolen silver and arrested one more accused today, taking the total number of arrests to three, while the alleged mastermind remains absconding.

The case relates to the theft of 120 kg of silver from Rajkot’s Ranchhodnagar area. Investigators found that the accused used a Creta car and executed the theft in a carefully planned manner. During the probe, the Rajkot Crime Branch arrested Raju Bhojak, who had supplied the vehicle, and seized 31 kg of silver from his possession. Leads indicating that the remaining consignment had been transported to Ahmedabad shifted the investigation there.

In Ahmedabad, the Crime Branch launched “Operation Silver” and detained a suspect identified as Pradeep Prajapati near Gita Mandir with 40 kg of silver two days ago. During interrogation, he allegedly revealed that another 40 kg had been handed over to Mangu Singh Rathod, a Naroda resident and owner of Rathod Bullion, for safekeeping and melting.

A subsequent raid at Rathod’s residence uncovered a silver-melting furnace operating inside the house. Police seized 40 kg of silver, including 10 kg already melted into plain form, during a search operation at Rathod’s house. Rathod had fled after learning about Pradeep’s arrest but was later apprehended today.

Investigators said questioning of Rathod led to the name of advocate Vikram Singh Rajput, who is suspected of facilitating the disposal of the stolen metal. Police findings indicate that Rajput and Rathod had been in contact for nearly seven years and that Rajput was also acquainted with the main absconding accused, Mukesh Prajapati. Mukesh allegedly sought Rajput’s assistance to dispose of the stolen silver, after which Rajput assigned Rathod the task of melting it in exchange for a 10 percent commission.

Police believe the accused had already melted and delivered an initial 40 kg of silver to Mukesh, and Rathod was caught while processing the remaining quantity.

Mukesh Prajapati, described as the mastermind, is still at large. Authorities have arrested Pradeep, Mangu Singh Rathod, and Raju Bhojak, and recovered a total of 111 kg of silver. Efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining silver and locate Mukesh.

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has expanded the probe to examine financial transactions and past dealings between Mukesh and advocate Rajput. Officials indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. DeshGujarat