₹2 crore loot in Madhya Pradesh, mastermind arrested from Muzaffarpur:Accused says ‘Khalid told us it’s a big job, life will be set’; police continue raids for stolen jewellery

In Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, the mastermind behind the ₹2-crore robbery at Ayushi Jewellers has been arrested from Bihar. Late on Thursday night, Madhya Pradesh Police, in a joint operation with Muzaffarpur Police, conducted raids in the Sadar, Baruraj and Paru police station areas and arrested three suspects, including the key conspirator. The arrested accused have been identified as mastermind Mohammad Khalid, a resident of Rampurwa Akhada under Baruraj police station; Shashi Kumar of Ward 31, Atardah, under Sadar police station; and Krishna Kumar Singh of Gyaspur under Paru police station. Police have also seized Khalid’s car allegedly used in the crime. On Friday, Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Shafiq Khan of Kotwali Mandla police station moved court seeking a 48-hour transit remand for all three accused. Their mobile phones have been confiscated, and police teams are conducting continuous raids to recover the stolen gold and silver jewellery. Lead found from CCTV footage After the incident, police traced two cars used by the criminals. Mobile tower locations were analysed, and CCTV footage from several toll plazas along the escape route was examined. Both vehicles were identified, and their owners were traced, which led investigators straight to mastermind Khalid. Following his arrest, police obtained information about Shashi and Krishna. Fifty-five-year-old Khalid had orchestrated the entire plan, involving criminals not only from Bihar but also from Madhya Pradesh. During interrogation, he disclosed the names and addresses of several associates. Five special teams are now conducting continuous raids to track them down. SDPO West-1, Suchitra Kumari, said that Madhya Pradesh Police have arrested three individuals in the operation. No jewellery has been recovered so far, and the criminal history of mastermind Khalid is being examined. See the complete sequence of events in 3 pictures… Krishna from Gyaspur of Paru fired the shot Madhya Pradesh Police interrogated all three arrested suspects and recorded their statements. Krishna Kumar Singh stated that he is a resident of Gyaspur (Paru) and works as a labourer. He told police that he had come in contact with Khalid, who informed him about a jeweller in Mandla who kept two to two-and-a-half kilos of gold. Khalid described it as a “big job” that would secure their future. On 17 November, Khalid drove his car with Shashi and Krishna, travelling through Katni to Jabalpur and Indore before reaching Mandla. There, they established contact with local criminals — Pankaj Thakur, Lavkush, Shani, Azhar and others. Krishna confessed that during the robbery, when Ayush resisted, he was the one who fired the shot. The incident occurred between 7:15 pm and 7:30 pm on 20 November, when the businessman was shot after attempting to resist the attackers. ‘Put the bag down’: pistol placed on staffer’s head Akshansh Soni and his brother Ayush Soni run Ayushi Jewellers, located in front of the Hanuman Temple in Katra Mandla. Bobby Yadav works as an employee at the shop. As usual, Bobby was stepping out to place two bags containing gold and silver jewellery in the car parked outside before closing for the day. At that moment, a speeding car approached from the Mandla side and halted abruptly. Three armed men got out, while the driver remained in the vehicle. One of the assailants pressed a pistol against Bobby’s head and ordered him to drop the bag. Terrified, Bobby obeyed. Immediately after, another criminal entered the shop and demanded that Ayush hand over all the gold and silver inside. He began looting the jewellery, prompting Ayush to protest. In response, the criminal shot him below the left knee. Ayush collapsed, bleeding heavily. The gang then grabbed the bag and fled in their car. Bobby and Akshansh rushed the injured Ayush to the district hospital for treatment.