Rajkot jewellery robbery leads to murder and police shooting

A businessman was shot and killed during a high-value jewellery robbery in Rajkot, Gujarat. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Laljibhai Sardhara, an employee of Tanvi Exports India Ltd, was targeted on a Wednesday night by masked robbers. The assailants attempted to steal a bag containing approximately 946 grams of gold bars and two kilograms of refined silver dust, with a total estimated value of roughly Rs 1.5 crore.

CCTV footage captured the moment the robbers approached Sardhara while he was starting his two-wheeler. When Sardhara attempted to recover the stolen bag, one of the assailants opened fire. Sardhara was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

In a subsequent development, one of the suspects, Anurag Singh Rajput, was shot in the leg by police during an evidence recovery operation. According to officials, Rajput was among 10 individuals arrested in connection with the crime. While at the scene, Rajput allegedly retrieved a discarded weapon and fired two rounds at the police team, prompting a sub-inspector to fire in self-defence. The suspect was taken to a civil hospital for treatment.