Manhunt for worker who decamped with 23 kg gold bars in Mumbai

A manhunt has been launched for a worker at a jewellery unit, who decamped with 23 kg gold bars worth Rs5 crore, police said today.

Paresh Rawat, 23, who works in Devkrupa jewellers in south Mumbai, took 23 kg raw gold consignment worth Rs5 crore from a customer in Delhi. He was supposed to deliver it at his shop but he did not return after which his employer lodged a complaint against him, Srikant Desai, inspector at LT Marg police station told PTI.

Rawat, who hails from Rajasthan and was born and brought up in Pune, has been booked under IPC section 408 (Criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant) and his cousins, who also work in the same jewellery unit, are being questioned, police said.

According to police, the complainant Nathalal Gandhi, 50, had hired him seven months ago after recommendation from Rawat's cousins, who have been working in the unit since years.

"Rawat sincerely worked all these months after which Gandhi gained confidence in him. He often sent Rawat to Delhi and other parts of India with gold consignments. There was an order from Delhi to make ornaments from raw gold. Gandhi and Rawat were supposed to go to bring the 23 kg raw gold but the latter convinced his employer that he alone can do this," Desai said.

Believing Rawat, Gandhi has assigned him the job of brining the gold.

"Rawat boarded August Kranti Express train from Delhi on Tuesday after collecting the gold bars but did not reach Mumbai the next day," Desai said.

"All attempts of Gandhi to contact Rawat on his mobile phone failed as it was switched off. Gandhi suspected that Rawat may have run away with the gold following which he lodged a complaint," said Desai.

They have the photographs of the accused, police said adding they also have visited the residence of Rawat. Further probe was on.