1,000 sovereigns, 9L cash looted from pawn shop

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the culprits broke open the front door of the shop using a welding machine. They then lifted the jewels from a locker kept inside the shop.

Sources said the shop, run by four partners, has been functional for several years. However, there was no CCTV surveillance camera in place. Commissioner of Madurai City S Davidson Aseervatham along with police personnel attached to Tallakulam station inspected the scene of crime and held inquiries with neighbours. “A team of finger print experts also examined the crime spot, while a sniffer dog was pressed into service,” police said. Sources said P Gopinath, proprietor of the shop, is yet to file a complaint in connection with the incident. However, a special team has been formed to nab the culprits.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths seized 1.1 kg of gold worth an estimated Rs 36 lakh being smuggled from Kuala Lumpur in Tiruchy International Airport on Tuesday. They arrested four persons, including three women, in connection with the incident. The DRI officials acted on a tip-off and monitored the movement of passengers. 

The accused were identified as Kuthubdeen, Deepa, Mahalakshmi and Tamil Mozhi, all from Sivagangai district. During inquiry, the accused confessed that they have been frequently involving in such smuggling activities. They were handed over to the city police. Further investigations are on. Meanwhile, 200 grams of gold, which was allegedly smuggled, was seized by a team of Air Intelligence Unit at Madurai airport on Tuesday. 

On suspicion, the team of Customs officials led by Assistant Commissioner, A Venkadesh Babu checked the baggage of M  Meenkashisundaram (45), a resident of Sivagangai district, who arrived by an Air India Express flight. The total value of the seized gold is Rs 6.6 lakh, the Assistant Commissioner said. A case was booked under the Customs Act in connection with the seizure.