How Did Gujarat Police Honor Citizens for Solving the Sarkhej Roza Theft Case?

Ahmedabad, Aug 1 (NationPress) The Gujarat Police has recognized two local residents for their invaluable contribution in solving the notorious theft incident at the ancient Sarkhej Roza, a 574-year-old site designated as a World Heritage Site.

The item that was stolen—a copper Panjatan Pak Kalash—was removed from the dome of the monument, inciting public outrage and triggering an extensive citywide investigation that spanned over two weeks.

The seriousness of the theft prompted the Crime Branch of Ahmedabad to initiate a thorough investigation, leading to the identification of several suspects and the recovery of the stolen artifact, which had already been transformed into scrap.

In a groundbreaking move for Gujarat, Police Commissioner Gyanendrasingh Malik (GS Malik) awarded certificates of appreciation to the citizens who significantly aided the investigation by granting access to private CCTV footage, which was crucial in cracking the case.

Under the leadership of PI M.L. Salunke, the Crime Branch deployed drone surveillance to map out potential escape routes taken by the thieves. A significant breakthrough occurred when the police contacted KP Epitome, a commercial hub situated on the Makarba-Sarkhej Roza Road.

The CCTV technician Kanubhai Himmatbhai Ukani and manager Yatinbhai Nandlal Shah promptly provided essential footage that enabled the identification of several suspicious vehicles. The license plates captured in the footage led to a critical development in the case.

As part of a citywide surveillance initiative launched a year ago, approximately 2,500 CCTV cameras have been established throughout sensitive areas in Ahmedabad. These efforts have greatly improved local security and crime resolution rates. In fact, according to the 2025 Numbeo Safety Index, Ahmedabad has been recognized as the safest city in India.

The Crime Branch team, which included officers PI Salunke, PSI R.L. Odedara, PSI D.D. Patel, and other personnel, worked diligently to recover the stolen artifact and ensure that the perpetrators faced justice.

Notably, the 2025 Numbeo Crime & Safety Index ranked Ahmedabad as the safest city in India, reflecting the overall law and order situation in the state.

Gujarat boasts one of the lowest per capita crime rates in the nation, particularly concerning violent crimes such as murder and rape.

The state has heavily invested in advanced policing initiatives like the VISWAS project (Video Integration and Statewide Advanced Security), which integrates thousands of CCTV cameras across its cities.