02/08/2024
**Two Suspects Arrested in Gold Theft Scam in Doimukh**
Doimukh, August 2: Two suspects were apprehended and arrested in connection with a gold theft scam that targeted residents of Yupia-I, Doimukh. The suspects, identified as Kedar Sah (41) and Amar Kumar (35), both from Bhagalpur, Bihar, were taken into custody after being identified through CCTV footage and a subsequent social media tip-off.
On July 28, 2024, Yangam Digli, 55, and her daughter, Genia Digli, 28, filed a First Information Report (FIR) detailing the incident that took place on July 26. According to the FIR, the two men had visited the Digli residence around 11:00 AM under the pretense of demonstrating cleaning products for kitchen utensils. After gaining the trust of the complainants by cleaning their utensils and silver items, the men requested any gold items to clean. Yangam and Genia provided two gold chains, which the men proceeded to "clean" using turmeric powder. They instructed the complainants not to touch the chains for an hour, claiming it could cause an allergic reaction.
Suspicion arose when the chains felt lighter after an hour. The chains were subsequently weighed at Pinky Jewellery in Naharlagun, revealing significant weight loss: Yangam's chain had reduced from 10 grams to 7 grams, and Genia's chain from 10 grams to 5 grams.
A case was registered at Doimukh Police Station under Dmk PS Case No. 77/24 U/S 305/314/112/3(5) of BNS. During the investigation, a rough sketch map was drawn, photographs were taken, and CCTV footage from the residence captured images of the suspects.
The breakthrough came when the complainant's son-in-law, Gyamar Bharat, uploaded an awareness video on Facebook. This led Rickar Taipodia of Liru Village, Likabali, to recognize and apprehend the suspects on August 1. They were handed over to Likabali Police and later identified as the same individuals captured on the CCTV footage.
The Doimukh Police, upon confirmation, seized the cleaning materials from the suspects and arrested them at around 10:00 PM on August 1. The investigation is ongoing to determine if the suspects are part of a larger criminal racket.