Robbers Lure Chennai Merchant To Hotel, Tie Him Up, Steal Rs 20 Crore In Diamonds
Last Updated:
The robbers approached Chennai-based merchant S. Chandrashekhar to buy diamonds in cash. After initial talks at his home, they planned to finalise the deal at the hotel
In a dramatic turn of events in Chennai, four individuals orchestrated an elaborate heist, targeting a diamond merchant and making off with diamonds valued at Rs 20 crore. The incident unfolded on May 4, when diamond merchant S Chandrashekhar, anticipating a lucrative deal, arranged to meet potential buyers at a local hotel.
The sequence of events began with John Lloyd, Vijay, Ratheesh, and Arun Pandiarajan approaching Chandrashekhar with a proposition to purchase a substantial quantity of diamonds in cash. Initial discussions took place at the merchant's residence and appeared routine. The deal was scheduled to be finalised at the hotel on the mentioned date.
Upon arriving at the hotel room, Chandrashekhar quickly realized he had walked into a trap. The four assailants attacked him, tied him to a chair, and fled with the bag of diamonds. Despite being restrained, Chandrashekhar managed to scream loudly, alerting the hotel staff who rushed to his aid and freed him. The incident was promptly reported to the Vadapalani police station.
Recognising the gravity of the crime, the police swiftly assembled four teams to investigate. They scrutinised CCTV footage from the hotel and nearby public areas. Their efforts led to the discovery of the getaway vehicle within hours. The police alerted district officials from Chennai to Tuticorin, eventually intercepting the suspects' jeep at a checkpoint near Pudur Pandiyapuram.
The accused were detained, and a search of their vehicle uncovered the stolen diamonds, estimated to be worth Rs 20 crore. The four suspects, aged between 24 and 34, are all residents of Chennai. They have been taken into custody and transported back to Chennai, where they will face court proceedings and subsequent legal action.
First Published:
May 09, 2025, 14:45 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
23 minutes ago
- Economic Times
How fake meat export deal cost Delhi NRI more than $81,000, and the suspect vanished without a trace
A Delhi businessman has been allegedly defrauded of Rs 1.3 crore by an individual posing as a successful meat exporter. The suspect, after gaining trust through fabricated documents, convinced the victim to invest heavily, promising high returns. The suspect later disappeared, prompting a police investigation into the elaborate scheme. The crime branch is currently investigating the case. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How it began Investment and false promises Suspect goes missing Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Police action A businessman from East Delhi has alleged that he was cheated out of Rs 1.3 crore by a man who pretended to be a successful meat exporter. The Delhi Police crime branch has now launched an investigation into the complainant, a Non-Resident Indian ( NRI ) currently living in east Delhi, told police he met the suspect in June 2023 through a mutual friend. The man claimed to be running a profitable meat export business and showed fake documents to support his claims. Convinced by the fake paperwork, the businessman agreed to support the venture.A few weeks later, the suspect convinced the complainant to invest money, promising high returns by January 2025. Trusting him, the businessman invested large sums, including his father's life savings. The payments, totalling Rs 67.7 lakh, were made via cheques to an account belonging to someone introduced as the suspect's business October and November 2024, the suspect claimed he needed an additional $80,000 (around Rs 69.3 lakh) to handle a shipment issue in Dubai. This money was arranged through the help of a friend in the UAE and handed over to one of the suspect's contacts January 2025, a WhatsApp chat showed the suspect admitting to owing money. But when the complainant began asking for repayment, the suspect avoided contact. He eventually switched off his phone, changed his number, and even vacated the place where he had been living with the the businessman contacted the so-called manager, he was shocked to learn that the person was not part of any business partnership. He revealed that the suspect had asked him to transfer all the funds to his personal account, and the money was never used for any export on the complaint and initial findings, police found enough evidence to file a formal case of cheating. A detailed investigation is now from agencies
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"Sonam Made Raja Wear Rs 10 Lakh Gold For Honeymoon": Murdered Man's Mother
New Delhi: Sonam Raghuvanshi had made all the bookings, including travel and stay, for their honeymoon trip to Meghalaya - but did not book a return ticket, the murdered Indore-based businessman's mother said on Monday. According to Uma Raghuvanshi, Sonam may have also extended their trip to Shillong. However, Sonam did not provide any details of the trip to either of the families. "Sonam booked the tickets for the trip, and she may have extended the trip to Shillong, as my son did not know about the region. Her mother told that they visited Shillong last year," the victim's mother said. Honeymoon murder live updates Officials said that the couple had left for their trip to the Northeastern state wearing all their gold jewellery. While Sonam went to the airport directly from her parents' house, Raja left his house wearing gold jewellery worth more than Rs 10 lakh, which included a diamond ring, a chain, and a bracelet. When Raja's mother questioned him, he told her that Sonam wanted him to wear it. "If Sonam is involved in the murder, then she should be hanged. The police did not even tell in the morning that Sonam had been found. A CBI investigation should take place. If Sonam has not done anything, why would she be accused? Sonam had good behaviour, she used to hug me," Ms Uma said. She also questioned if Sonam had loved her son, why would she leave him to die. "How is she safe? All people behind this should be strictly punished," she said. Raja and Sonam, who got married on May 11, were visiting Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills for their honeymoon when they went missing on May 23. The couple arrived in Nongriat a day earlier and were last spotted checking out of Balaji Homestay. A scooter that they had rented was found abandoned at Sohrarim a day after they went missing. Ten days later, Raja's body was found inside a deep gorge below the Weisawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang. A machete suspected to have been used to murder him was also recovered. On Saturday night, officials found Sonam in an unconscious state at a 'dhaba' in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur. She was taken to the Ghazipur Medical College for treatment, where she surrendered before the police and was subsequently arrested. The police have claimed that the victim's wife had an extramarital affair that allegedly drove her to hire contract killers to eliminate her husband. She orchestrated the murder in connivance with her boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, and surrendered under pressure, they said. Preliminary investigation also revealed that Sonam used to talk to Raju Kushwaha often. Officials also found CCTVs in which three to four people from Madhya Pradesh were identified - who were the contract killers.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: What We Know So Far
New Delhi: In a shocking turn of events, Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found in deep gorge in Meghalaya during their honeymoon has been arrested for his murder. According to police, the victim's wife had an affair with Raj Kushwaha, that allegedly drove her to hire contract killers to eliminate her husband. He too was arrested. According to Raja Raghuvanshi's brother, Raj Kushwaha was Sonam's employee, and they would speak on the phone a lot. Here's what we know so far about this case: Raja Raghuvanshi and his newly married wife Sonam left for their honeymoon to Meghalaya on May 20. They were reported missing on May 23 and a scooter they had rented was found abandoned at Sohrarim. 10 days later, on June 2, the man's body was found dead in a deep gorge. The search was on for his missing wife. On June 7, police confirmed three arrests in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Yesterday (June 8), Sonam was found at a dhaba in Ghazipur and was swooped away by the cops. Uttar Pradesh police claimed they found Sonam distraught and unwell at a dhaba in Nandganj, while Meghalaya cops asserted she "voluntarily surrendered" at the police station. Sonam's family came out in her support and outright denied that she could murder her husband. Raja Raghuvanshi's family has demanded justice after the victim's wife surrendered to killing him. Raja's brother, Sachin, said that Sonam being found alive raises many questions.
