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Smugglers’ SUV hits police vehicle in Kannauj, 10 kg gold seized
Police said the two SUV occupants appeared nervous and allegedly tried to leave the spot, but could not do so after the vehicle failed to start. A search led to the recovery of a black bag containing 10 gold bars weighing around 10 kg.
An SUV carrying nearly 10 kg of gold collided with a police vehicle on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Kannauj early Saturday. This led to the seizure of 10 gold bars worth more than ₹16.18 crore and prompted investigators to examine a possible Nepal-to-Delhi smuggling route, police said.
The collision occurred around 2 am near kilometre 171 when the SUV allegedly rammed into the police vehicle returning from duty. The vehicle climbed onto the central divider, but all five personnel inside escaped unhurt.
Police said the two SUV occupants appeared nervous and allegedly tried to leave the spot, but could not do so after the vehicle failed to start. A search led to the recovery of a black bag containing 10 gold bars weighing around 10 kg.
The occupants were identified as Sandeep Jaiswal, a resident of Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, and Saroj Pant of Nepal’s Palpa district. The purity of the gold is yet to be established.
The seizure has been handed over to Customs, which took the two men and the gold to Lucknow after questioning them at Talgram police station. Officials will investigate the source, ownership and documents related to the consignment.
Police said the men also claimed during questioning that they had transported three gold bars from Nepal to Delhi three days earlier. Investigators are verifying the claim and examining whether the two consignments are linked.
The police team was headed by Sakrava station house officer (SHO) Bhagmal Singh and was returning from Kannauj after law-and-order duty when the collision occurred near Nikwa.
Talgram SHO Ranjana Pandey said Customs was investigating the case and local police would provide assistance. Investigators are also trying to establish whether the two men were carrying the gold for someone else and identify its intended recipient in Delhi.
