Two arrested after multi-state hunt; main suspects still at large
The Rajkot Crime Branch has arrested two men in connection with the gunpoint robbery of ₹19 lakh from Prime Enterprise angadiya firm on Bhavnagar Road on July 30, officials said on Monday. The two arrested — identified by police as Ramzanali (also known as Raju Sheikh) from West Bengal and Praveen Khajio from Mathura — were taken into custody following an extensive investigation across seven states that lasted about 10 days, the Crime Branch said.
Investigators said the two arrested are alleged associates of the robbery, while the two suspected masterminds, named in police reports as Aas Ayub and Ilu Khatik, remain absconding. Police described a careful effort to track movements and communications as part of the probe.
- The robbery took place at Prime Enterprise angadiya firm on Bhavnagar Road. The accused allegedly entered the premises, displayed a firearm and assaulted the director before fleeing with cash.
- Police conducted inquiries across seven states to trace the suspects and located two alleged associates who were arrested in disguise, the Crime Branch said.
- Investigators are probing use of stolen vehicles with fake number plates and tampered identification to avoid detection, and the use of private messaging apps for communication.
“Ramzanali was produced before the court and his five-day remand was granted. The second accused, Praveen Khajio, will also be produced in court for remand,” DCP Crime Jagdish Bangarwa said.
How the accused allegedly tried to evade detection
Police said the accused took several steps to avoid being traced after the robbery. According to the Crime Branch, the group allegedly used:
- vehicles with fake number plates and vehicles whose engine and chassis numbers had been erased to frustrate tracing efforts;
- rented rooms instead of hotels while travelling from Delhi to Rajkot to minimise attention; and
- private messaging applications commonly associated with covert communications to avoid location tracking tied to regular mobile use.
Authorities said the deliberate avoidance of conventional telecommunication methods complicated early stages of the inquiry, prompting a coordinated probe across jurisdictions to locate the suspects’ movements and contacts.
Judicial remand and further proceedings
Rajkot Crime Branch secured a five-day police remand for Ramzanali after producing him before the court, DCP Crime Jagdish Bangarwa said. Praveen Khajio is expected to be produced in court for remand proceedings as well, the DCP added.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of robbery | 30 July |
| Location | Prime Enterprise angadiya firm, Bhavnagar Road, Rajkot |
| Reported recovery | Details pending (police seized cash/items during investigation) |
| Arrested | Ramzanali (aka Raju Sheikh), Praveen Khajio |
| Accused absconding | Aas Ayub, Ilu Khatik |
Police records indicate the robbers targeted the angadiya — a traditional money‑transfer and transport operation — and assaulted the firm’s director before making off with the cash. The Crime Branch reported seizure of items during arrests; formal details on amounts recovered or additional seized material were described in police statements but are being finalised by investigators.
Current investigative activity is focused on tracing the two absconding suspects, mapping the network that supported the theft, and establishing the route of funds and logistics used. Officials said the use of disguised identities, altered vehicles and private messaging channels signals a degree of planning and an intent to frustrate detection across state lines.
The case has highlighted the operational steps alleged offenders may employ to avoid detection in cross‑state criminal activity, and the role of coordinated police action in tracing such networks. The Rajkot Crime Branch said it will continue its multi-jurisdictional cooperation to apprehend the remaining suspects and to determine whether a larger criminal network was involved.
