In a heist that seemed straight out of a movie, a gang from Khanapur, Maharashtra, drew inspiration from films like “Special 26” (2016) starring Akshay Kumar and “Gang” (2018) featuring Suriya. Their meticulously planned robbery left the victim oblivious to the crime until the gang had made their escape.
However, the police managed to apprehend four of the accused, one of whom is an employee of the targeted gold shop. The police have identified the accused as Rahman Gafoor Athar (30), Zakir Ghani Athar (35), Praveen Yadav (32)  and Akash Arun Hovil (31). However, several others involved in the crime are still absconding. The police managed to seize 7 gold biscuits while a total of 17 gold biscuits went missing. The police said that the phase II of this operation is still ongoing.
According to the police, the gang involved collaboration between the accused from Maharashtra and Goa. Zakir Ghani Athar, one of the arrested individuals, had been working at Harshad Gold Melting Shop, located at Pot Market, Secunderabad, for the past one month. The gang planned to steal gold bars from Siddi Vinayaka Gold Shop, where Zakir had insider knowledge. The offenders arrived in Hyderabad on May 24 on a bus and train, and checked into Delhi Lodge at Patny Centre, Secunderabad.
Zakir acquainted them with the plan, showcasing the targeted gold shop to his accomplices, Babu and Lala, on the fourth floor of Navketan Complex. On May 27, all the accused entered the shop posing as IT officials, brandishing fake ID cards. Within a matter of 10 to 15 minutes, they swiftly confiscated all cellphones and looted the gold biscuits weighing 1,700 grams, valued at Rs 60 lakh. The gang escaped, leaving the confined workers behind.
The incident was brought to light when Vikas Khedekar, the 23-year-old manager of Siddi Vinayaka Shop located in Pot Market, Secunderabad, filed a written complaint on May 27. The assailants reportedly then confined the workers in a room by locking the door from outside before fleeing the scene.
