AI-powered CCTV analysis helps crack ₹12-lakh jewellery robbery, exposes inter-state gang linked to 100+ crimes
Raipur: Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police have cracked a ₹12-lakh jewellery robbery with the help of AI-powered CCTV analysis, exposing an inter-state armed gang allegedly involved in more than 100 cases of robbery, dacoity and theft across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Police arrested four accused and recovered assets worth around ₹26 lakh, including firearms, vehicles and stolen silver jewellery.
The breakthrough came after a robbery reported on July 16, 2026. At around 9:30 am, Balram Soni, proprietor of Deepak Jewellers, was travelling on his scooter towards Rohra when four masked men on two motorcycles intercepted him near Rohra High School. The assailants assaulted him, snatched his mobile phone and scooter keys, and escaped with 13 kg of silver and 70 grams of gold valued at around ₹12 lakh.
A case was registered at Bhatapara Rural Police Station under Section 309(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. Investigators examined footage from more than 1,000 CCTV cameras covering routes through Tarenga, Maro, Bemetara, Mungeli, Takhatpur, Bilaspur and Ratanpur. Using AI-driven video and data analytics, along with cyber tracking and local intelligence, the team reconstructed the suspects’ movements, identified their hideouts and arrested all four accused.
The arrested accused were identified as Bablu Pandey alias Shatruhan (48), Gangasagar Pandey (42), Jaideep Gupta (43) and Zia-ul-Haq (42). They are residents of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
According to police, the gang carried out detailed reconnaissance before every robbery, identifying both the target and escape routes. They allegedly used firearms and sharp-edged weapons to threaten victims. During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to their involvement in the September 2024 Ayush Jewellers robbery near Deoridih Tri-Junction and the July 2022 Mahalakshmi Jewellers robbery near Rohra High School. Police said the gang is wanted in over 100 criminal cases across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, involving offences collectively valued at more than ₹10 crore.
The recovered items include a pistol, a country-made firearm, 14 live cartridges, a sword, a Mahindra Scorpio SUV, two motorcycles, silver jewellery worth ₹1 lakh, ₹10,620 in cash, and five mobile phones.
The accused were produced before a local court, and police have sought custodial remand for further interrogation to identify other gang members and establish links with additional cases.
Following the arrests, Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police advised business owners to install high-definition CCTV cameras, complete tenant verification through the Samadhan app, and immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.
