Locked Flat, Open Secret: Gujarat ATS Seizes Over 95 Kg Gold, Cash Worth Rs 90 Crore In Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized a staggering 95.5 kg of gold, jewellery, and cash valued at around Rs 90 crore from a residential flat in Ahmedabad's Paldi area on Monday evening. According to the Gujarat police, the massive recovery was made from a flat located at Avishkar Apartment in Paldi. The police stated that the flat was locked when the team conducted a raid there. Meanwhile, following the massive recovery, it is being questioned how such a large stash of gold and cash went undetected for so long.

The police further added that the accused absconded from the spot before the raiding team reached there. A senior police official identified the accused as Megh Shah and his father Mahendra Shah, who are said to be on the run. As per the police, upon entering the flat, the team found a locked box. When opened, it revealed a massive stash of gold, leaving the officers stunned. The gold was seized under camera surveillance.

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According to ATS Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) SL Chaudhary, "Around 95.5 kg gold, other jewellery, and up to Rs 60-70 lakh in the case were seized from a flat at Avishkar Apartment located in Paldi area." The accused, Megh Shah and his father Mahendra Shah, allegedly hid smuggled gold and cash worth around Rs 80-90 crore in the flat.

ACP Chaudhary revealed that the accused, involved in a web of illicit activities, including share market trading, betting, and gold smuggling, are yet to be apprehended. "The flat was locked when the raid was conducted jointly by the DRI and ATS this evening. Further probe is underway," he said.

The police are still investigating the extent of their involvement in the illicit activities and efforts are being made to apprehend the accused, who are said to be on the run.

Efforts are also underway to determine the source of the gold. Reports suggested that cash counting machines and scales were brought in to aid the investigation. Two machines for counting notes and electric scales for weighing gold were also employed during the raid. 

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The recovery from the Ahmedabad flat is not an isolated incident. There have been several similar incidents in the past, where large quantities of smuggled goods have been seized from residential flats and warehouses. In 2020, the DRI reportedly seized over 100 kg of gold worth crores from a warehouse in Ahmedabad. In another incident, the ATS seized over Rs 10 crore worth of cash and jewellery from a residential flat in Surat.

The police stated that the involvement of individuals in share market trading, betting, and gold smuggling raises questions about the nexus between these activities and the smuggling of goods.

The investigation into the seizure of gold, jewellery, and cash worth Rs 90 crore is ongoing. 

The police are yet to apprehend the accused, who are said to be on the run. The DRI and ATS are jointly investigating the case, and are expected to make further arrests in the coming days.