Ludhiana, Dec 27 (IANS) Gold jewellery and diamonds worth Rs.5 crore (Rs.50 million) were stolen from a jewellery shop on College Road of this industrial hub of Punjab Sunday, police officials said here.
The theft came to the notice of the owner of Forever Jewellers Sunday when he opened the shop for some work.

The jewellery stolen included over 18 kg of gold and several diamonds.

Police officials said that the role of a former employee of the jewellery shop was being suspected in the theft.

“According to the manager of this shop, gold jewellery studded with diamonds and other precious stones, weighing around 18 kg, is missing. We suspect that it is the work of some employee of this shop as the robbers seemed to be well versed with the place,” Ludhiana’s Superintendent of Police (City) Harsh Kumar Bansal said.

He said the manager has expressed suspicion about Sandeep Sharma, an employee in the shop.

“We are trying to nab him but he is missing from his home and even his family members are unaware about his whereabouts,” Bansal said.

According to the police, there were no signs of forced entry inside the shop and all the locks were opened by using keys. There was a security guard deployed outside the shop but he had left the place unguarded for some time in the early hours Sunday.

CCTV cameras were installed in the shop but they were switched off during night.

“From the preliminary investigation, it seems to be the work of two-three people. We have sent police teams to nab the accused at various possible hideouts. We are hoping to make some arrests very soon,” Bansal said.