Ahmedabad Police on Friday, 26 June 2025, arrested an Indian Air Force (IAF) corporal in connection with an armed jewellery shop robbery in the Khadia area of Ahmedabad that netted nearly ₹1.51 crore in gold, silver, and cash — a case that had remained partially unsolved for close to two years. The arrest also cracked a separate, previously unsolved house-breaking case in Jamnagar, from which the firearm used in the robbery had allegedly been stolen.

The Robbery: What Happened on 16 July 2024

At approximately 3 pm on 16 July 2024, a masked man entered a jewellery shop in Dharmanandan ni Khadki, near Fernandes Bridge on Gandhi Road, Ahmedabad. According to police, the suspect waited outside before pulling down the shutter, threatened those inside at gunpoint, and shot the shop owner's father in the leg before fleeing with gold chains, gold rings, gold biscuits, a 10 kg silver slab, other jewellery, and cash — amounting to a total of ₹1.51 crore.

An FIR was registered at Khadia Police Station, and separate investigation teams were formed from the Local Crime Branch (Zone 3), Khadia Police Station, and the Zone 3 'E' Division.

How the Breakthrough Came

Investigators received intelligence indicating that a service revolver stolen during an unsolved house-breaking case in Jamnagar district had been used in the Khadia robbery. Police analysed technical evidence, human intelligence, and CCTV footage, which they said established a link between the two cases.

The suspect was identified as Deepak Bhuker, 31, originally from Jhajjar district in Haryana. According to investigators, he was posted with the Air Force at its Jamnagar unit at the time of the alleged offences and is currently serving as a corporal at the 7 Base Repair Depot in Tughlakabad, New Delhi.

Arrest in Delhi, Weapon Recovered from Barracks

A police team led by PSI H.R. Chaudhary travelled to Delhi and, with assistance from Air Force authorities, detained Bhuker. A search of his barracks yielded the firearm allegedly used in the robbery along with five live cartridges. The seized weapon is believed to be the same service revolver stolen in the Jamnagar burglary.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Rupal Solanki said: 'Once our investigation confirmed that he was behind the robbery, we went to Delhi and sought assistance from Air Force police officers. With their help, we were able to apprehend him. We conducted a search of his quarters, during which we recovered the firearm used in the crime. This was the same gun that had been stolen earlier. We also recovered some jewellery items, although verification is still underway to determine whether they are made of gold, silver, or some other material.'

Elaborate Evasion Tactics Allegedly Used

Police said Bhuker allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards and multiple mobile phone numbers while checking into hotels to conceal his identity. He reportedly wrapped bandages around his fingers to avoid leaving fingerprints at the crime scene. After the robbery, investigators said he escaped by travelling in four different auto-rickshaws and changed his clothes while fleeing.

Police records show the accused has a prior conviction in a cheque dishonour case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and was booked in a prohibition case in Jamnagar in 2020.

What's Next

The recovered property includes one pistol valued at ₹50,000 and five live cartridges. Verification of the recovered jewellery is still underway. The arrest has additionally enabled police to formally detect the previously unsolved Jamnagar house-breaking case. Further investigation is ongoing.