New Delhi: They say the law has long arms, and no matter how much time passes, every crime eventually has to be accounted for. The Central Range of the Delhi Crime Branch has demonstrated just that by arresting two brothers who had been absconding for nearly 15 years in an alleged jewellery embezzlement case. The accused have been identified as Pintu Kole (47) and Mintu Kole (46). The two are accused of allegedly misappropriating 1,430 grams of gold and 560 carats of diamonds in a case registered in 2011. The Delhi Police had also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for information leading to their arrest.
Took Advantage of Trust to Misappropriate Jewellery
Crime Branch DCP Harsh Indora said the two brothers came to Delhi in 2009 after receiving training in jewellery making and designing in West Bengal. While working with different jewellers, they developed considerable expertise in jewellery designing.
Due to their craftsmanship and the trust they earned, jewellers began entrusting them with large quantities of gold and diamonds to make jewellery. The brothers allegedly took advantage of this trust and misappropriated 1,430 grams of gold and 560 carats of diamonds before fleeing Delhi for West Bengal.
Following a complaint by a Delhi-based jeweller, a case was registered at Kotwali Police Station in 2011. Despite several efforts, the two could not be traced and were subsequently declared proclaimed offenders. A reward was announced for their arrest in 2012.
Police Kept Searching, File Was Never Closed
The Central Range team of the Crime Branch had been continuously working to apprehend long-absconding accused and solve old unresolved cases.
During the investigation, police received specific information that the two brothers were hiding in Hooghly, West Bengal. A team led by Inspector Vinay Kumar subsequently travelled to West Bengal and gathered local intelligence to trace their whereabouts.
After sustained surveillance and field investigation, the team raided their hideout in Hooghly in the intervening night of October 1 and 2 and arrested both brothers.
Changed Locations, But Continued Making Jewellery
Police investigation revealed that during their years on the run, the brothers continued working as jewellery makers for different jewellers in Hooghly and Kolkata.
To evade arrest, they maintained a low profile and frequently changed their locations following police raids. Despite managing to evade the police for nearly 15 years, the Crime Branch’s sustained efforts finally brought their period of absconding to an end.
Planned to Set Up Their Own Business
According to police, after gaining experience in jewellery designing, the two brothers planned to start their own business. However, due to a lack of sufficient funds, they allegedly devised a plan to use the valuable materials entrusted to them for making jewellery as a means of raising money for their own business.
