New Delhi: A swift and determined effort by Delhi Police’s Karol Bagh unit led to the arrest of a 32-year-old jewellery artisan who allegedly absconded with 184 grams of gold entrusted to him for making ornaments.
The accused, Sanjeeb Khanra, was apprehended from his native village in Howrah, West Bengal, in an interstate operation. Following his arrest, the police also recovered 23 grams of the stolen gold from a Delhi-based associate.
Case Background
The case came to light after a woman lodged an e-FIR (No. 80041353/25) at Police Station Karol Bagh, alleging that a goldsmith, identified as Sanjeeb Khanra, had been given 184 grams of gold to craft jewellery.
Instead of completing the assigned work or returning the entrusted gold, the accused reportedly fled the workplace and became untraceable. His mobile phone was found switched off, raising suspicions of intentional misappropriation.
Based on the woman’s complaint, a case was registered under Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation was promptly initiated.
Police Response and Operation
Recognizing the gravity of the case, a dedicated police team was constituted under the supervision of the Station House Officer (SHO) of PS Karol Bagh.
The team included Sub-Inspector Pradhan, Head Constable Makhanlal, and Constable Surender. Their immediate priority was to trace the whereabouts of the absconding artisan and recover the stolen gold.
Utilizing technical surveillance and local intelligence, the team was able to pinpoint Khanra’s location to his home village in Howrah, West Bengal.
Without delay, the officers embarked on an interstate operation and travelled to West Bengal. On July 5, 2025, the team successfully arrested Sanjeeb Khanra and brought him back to Delhi for interrogation.
Gold Recovery in Karol Bagh
During custodial interrogation, Khanra disclosed that a portion of the stolen gold had been handed over to a known associate in Delhi.
Acting swiftly on this information, the police team raided a residence in Ragerpura, Karol Bagh, and recovered 23 grams of gold from one Naru Gopal Das. The recovered gold has been formally seized as part of the investigation.
Accused Details
- Name: Sanjeeb Khanra
- Age: 32 years
- Residence: Village in Howrah district, West Bengal
- Profession: Jewellery worker/goldsmith
Recovery Made
- 23 grams of gold recovered from Ragerpura, Karol Bagh, based on the accused’s disclosure.
Ongoing Investigation
Police officials stated that the probe is ongoing to trace the remaining gold and identify if any other individuals were involved in aiding the accused. Further leads are being pursued to recover the unrecovered quantity of gold and ascertain how the misappropriated material was disposed of or converted.
A senior police officer commented, “This operation reflects the commitment of the Karol Bagh police team in tracking absconding accused across state borders. The use of technical resources combined with ground intelligence ensured the swift apprehension of the accused.”
The arrest underscores Delhi Police’s vigilance in cracking down on economic offences, particularly those involving trust-based professions like jewellery making, where high-value materials are frequently handed over for craftsmanship.
As the investigation continues, Delhi Police urges citizens to remain cautious while entrusting valuables and to verify the credentials of service providers thoroughly.
