Man linked to Rs 2.54cr loot held

Vadodara: Nearly four months after a businessman was robbed of Rs 10 lakh in the Karelibaug area, the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on Thursday arrested a 21-year-old man for his alleged role in the offence. The accused, identified as Suraj Salat, is said to have helped the gang by conducting a recce of the victim's house before the robbery.The robbery took place on the night of Jan 16 when businessman Leelaram Revani was returning home. According to police, the gang threw chilli powder into Revani's eyes and snatched a bag containing Rs 10 lakh in cash before fleeing the spot. Revani later lodged a complaint against unidentified persons, prompting police to launch an investigation.Police investigations later revealed that Salat, a relative of one of the accused already arrested in the case, had surveyed Revani's movements and residence before the crime.Within two days of the robbery, police had arrested seven men allegedly involved in the offence and recovered not only the stolen Rs 10 lakh but also foreign currency notes from 20 countries worth over Rs 2.54 crore from their homes. The huge recovery had initially led investigators to suspect the gang's involvement in an illegal foreign currency racket.However, further investigation revealed that the entire cash haul, including the foreign currency, belonged to Revani, who runs a gift shop.