Gonda: Police have solved the recent jewellery trader robbery case in the Colonelganj area, arresting two accused following a late-night encounter, while a third suspect remains at large.
Acting on the directions of Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal, a joint team of Colonelganj police and the Special Operations Group (SOG)/surveillance unit carried out the operation. The arrested accused have been identified as Brijesh Shukla, a resident of Kaudiya Behra Chaube, and Amar Shukla of Pipri Manjha.
According to police, the robbery took place on April 28, 2026, when jewellery trader Rajan Soni was on his way to his shop in the Sadar Bazaar area around 9 am. Near the Narayanpur Manjha crossing, close to the Khatu Shyam temple turn, three bike-borne assailants intercepted him at gunpoint and fled with a bag containing gold and silver ornaments along with cash.
Following the incident, police registered a case and formed five teams to track down the culprits. Investigators scanned footage from over 500 CCTV cameras across a 75-kilometre radius and used technical as well as manual intelligence to identify the suspects.
The breakthrough came late Monday night when police intercepted the accused near Narayanpur Manjha crossing. During the encounter, Brijesh Shukla sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was apprehended along with Amar Shukla. The third accused managed to escape and is currently being traced.
Police recovered stolen gold and silver jewellery, ₹5,200 in cash, an Android mobile phone, and the victim’s bag containing identification documents. Additionally, a numberless Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle, an illegal .315 bore firearm, one live cartridge, and one spent cartridge were seized from the accused.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused used to conduct reconnaissance before committing robberies and had earlier carried out similar crimes in Bahraich. Authorities also indicated that Brijesh Shukla has a prior criminal record, including a case registered in West Bengal.
Police teams are continuing raids to arrest the absconding accused, and further investigation in the case is underway.
