To escape ₹40L debt, nephew scripts fake heist

Rajkot: In a bizarre twist, a reported daylight robbery in Rajkot turned out to be an alleged conspiracy by a nephew to evade repayment of debt to his uncle. The accused reportedly staged the theft of a bag supposedly containing Rs 11 lakh, with help of two friends to make the incident appear genuine.Police arrested the main accused Dhirendrasinh Vaghela (32) and his two friends Dhruvrajsinh Gohil and Bhavesh Khuva on Sunday. Police said Vaghela had allegedly promised his accomplices Rs 2.5 lakh for their role in the plan. Gohil had previously been booked in a robbery case, while Khuva also had a criminal history.The three accused are scheduled to be produced before a court on Monday, with police seeking their remand for further investigation.The incident occurred around 2.30pm on the road from Nana Mava Road to Sagar Chowk, under the jurisdiction of Taluka police station on Saturday. Two men on a motorcycle without a number plate allegedly kicked the bike carrying the uncle and nephew from behind before fleeing with the bag.The report prompted senior police officers, including those at the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) level, to rush to the scene. Crime Branch teams examined CCTV footage and tracked the suspects’ movements.However, inconsistencies in the nephew’s account of the incident raised suspicions. During questioning, Vaghela, allegedly failed to explain the source of the money supposedly stolen. He eventually confessed to fabricating the robbery, police said.Investigators found that Vaghela had borrowed around Rs 40 lakh from his uncle, Hardevsinh Zala, about three months ago to fund a vehicle trading business. Zala had reportedly raised the money by pledging gold jewellery. With his uncle pressing him to repay the debt, Vaghela allegedly devised the fake robbery plan about a week before the incident, police said.According to police, Vaghela promised to return Rs 11 lakh and asked his uncle to collect the money. He then accompanied Zala on his motorcycle, carrying an empty red bag. The two accomplices, Dhruvrajsinh Gohil and Bhavesh Khuva, allegedly executed the staged robbery, while Vaghela urged his uncle to chase them to make the incident appear authentic.Crime branch teams traced the suspects towards Kalavad and apprehended Gohil and Khuva on the Kalavad-Jamnagar road. All three accused were subsequently handed over to taluka police.Police constable Kuldeepsinh Jadeja lodged a complaint against the trio under provisions of BNS.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Rajkot | Silver Rate in Rajkot | Bank Holidays in Rajkot | Public Holidays in Rajkot | Rajkot AQI | Weather in Rajkot | Petrol Price in Rajkot | Diesel Price in Rajkot | CNG Price in Rajkot | LPG Price in RajkotStay updated with the latest Rajkot news. Download the TOI App.