Ahmedabad, May 21 (AHN) The Ahmedabad police have recovered stolen jewellery and valuables worth more than Rs 80 lakh and arrested two men in connection with the theft of an Angadia consignment from a Kalupur area-based firm, officials said on Thursday.

The alleged mastermind and the employee accused of absconding with the parcel remain on the run.

The case pertains to H. Pravin Kumar & Co., an Angadia firm operating from Nagar Sheth Market in the Ratanpol area of Kalupur.

According to police, employee Jigarsinh Vihol left the firm’s office on the night of May 6 carrying consignments containing gold jewellery, silver bars and diamonds valued at Rs 80.56 lakh for delivery to Bhuj.

Police said Vihol departed from Ahmedabad after boarding a private travel service from Paldi at around 9.30 p.m. but never reached Bhuj with the valuables.

Following his disappearance along with the consignment, a complaint was registered at Kalupur Police Station on May 11 under Section 316(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The investigation was subsequently handed to the Zone-3 Local Crime Branch (LCB), which began surveillance and intelligence gathering under the supervision of senior city police officials.

According to police, PSI V.H. Rathod and the Zone 3 LCB team received information that part of the stolen property was to be sold in the Manek Chowk area of the city.

Acting on the tip-off, police intercepted and detained two suspects near Khadia Golwad on May 21.

The arrested accused were identified as Ajayji Thakor, 24, a resident of Chhapawada village in Becharaji taluka of Mehsana district, and Dipak Rawal, 34, a resident of Sunvala on Katosan Road in Ahmedabad.

Police said the recovered property was collectively valued at Rs 80,00,696. The seizure included 59 silver bars weighing 28.993 kilograms worth Rs 73.93 lakh, two gold bracelets, two gold diamond rings, a gold ring, copper coins, colour stones and two mobile phones.

Speaking about the case, ACP Jitendra Chaudhari said the investigation revealed that Vihol allegedly met Ajay Thakor in Surendranagar after leaving Ahmedabad with the consignment.

“Ajay and Jigar both went to Dipak’s house and handed over the entire stolen property to Dipak, after which Jigar left from there. Dipak and Ajay were then responsible for selling the entire stolen property,” Chaudhari said.

He said police received specific information that the accused would attempt to dispose of the valuables in Ahmedabad, following which a trap was laid.

“When they came here to sell it, we received information and apprehended them,” the officer said.

Police further alleged that another accused, Vipul Thakor, had orchestrated the theft and was the mastermind behind the operation.

“This Vipul Thakor is the mastermind of the entire theft offence. As per his planning, Jigar was employed at the Angadia firm one week earlier, and according to his planning and instructions, Jigar absconded with the entire consignment after leaving here,” Chaudhari said.

Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest both Vihol and Vipul Thakor.