Rajkot: In a brazen robbery executed despite heightened festive security, an employee of a gold jewellery manufacturing company was shot dead and robbed of bullion worth Rs 1.60 crore in the Aji GIDC estate on Wednesday evening.The crime took place during the ongoing Navratri festival — a period marked by higher police deployment across the city.The victim, Lalji Sardhara, worked for Tanvi Exports, a jewellery manufacturing firm. The company has a factory and a godown within 100 metres of each other in the industrial zone. Sardhara routinely ferried precious metals between the two facilities three or four times a week based on requirements.According to Zone 1 deputy commissioner of police Hetal Patel, the murder-robbery was perpetrated between 7pm and 8pm when Sardhara was transporting a consignment on a two-wheeler. A car with three or four assailants intercepted his vehicle. They tried to rob Sardhara but he resisted. The robbers then opened fire, shooting three rounds, leaving Sardhara with bullet wounds between his shoulder and chest.Sardhara was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to the wounds within an hour.Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Jagdish Bangarwa said the company owner reported that approximately 900g of gold and 3kg of silver was stolen.After murder-robbery, police sealed entry and exit routes across Rajkot. Police in neighbouring districts have also been alerted, to intensify vehicle checking and patrols to catch the fleeing robbers.
