Recovered diamond in Vadapalani robbery case fake, alleges trader

CHENNAI: A diamond trader has lodged a fresh complaint alleging that the diamond recovered by police in connection with a hotel robbery in Vadapalani is not genuine, but a fake.

Chandrasekhar (70), diamond merchant residing in Anna Nagar had been in possession of an antique diamond.

He was negotiating to sell the stone for Rs 23 crore and had arranged to meet four agents at a star hotel in Vadapalani for the transaction.

However, during the meeting, the four agents allegedly turned into robbers.

They tied up Chandrasekhar in a hotel room and escaped with the diamond.

Following his complaint, Vadapalani police registered a case and began an investigation, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

The suspects Arun Pandiyarajan, John Lloyd, Vijay, and Ratheesh were later arrested in Thoothukudi, and a diamond was recovered from them.

All four were brought to Chennai and remanded in judicial custody.

In a development, Chandrasekhar submitted a fresh petition to the Chennai Police Commissioner’s office, claiming that the diamond recovered and returned by the police is not the original, but a fake replicated copy.

He also alleged that some police officers threatened him when he raised the issue and demanded that the original diamond be returned.

The complaint has reportedly caused concern among senior officials at the Commissioner’s office, and a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the matter.

Responding to the allegation, Vadapalani police stated that the recovered diamond had already been submitted to the court and that they have no connection to Chandrasekhar’s new claim.

Sources say the original diamond was reportedly given to Chandrasekhar by a friend based in Madurai, and the police now plan to question him as part of the investigation.

Also Read: Diamond heist worth Rs 20 crore in Chennai; four-member gang nabbed in Thoothukudi