A shocking case of robbery and attempted abduction under the guise of authority came to light late Monday night outside Mathura Junction railway station, with a jawan of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) emerging as the key accused. Acting swiftly, a joint team of Kotwali police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested three accused, including a PAC jawan, within 12 hours of the incident. Two others, including another PAC jawan, remain absconding. Police have recovered the looted silver, cash, weapons and the car used in the crime.
According to the police, the victim Yogesh Kumar, a resident of Gopra village in Sadabad, Hathras, is a silver trader. He manufactures silver anklets in Mathura and supplies them to Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, returning with payment proceeds and raw silver. On Monday night, Yogesh arrived in Mathura from Chhindwara aboard the Patal Lok Express.
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Plot hatched outside the station
At around 2:40 am on Tuesday, as Yogesh exited Mathura Junction and headed towards Dhauli Pyau, he was stopped by two men in khaki uniforms seated in a car parked outside the station. Claiming to be policemen, they accused Yogesh of being involved in the ganja trade and began threatening him. Yogesh denied the allegation, stating that he dealt only in silver and had no connection with narcotics.
Ignoring his explanation, the accused used the authority of the uniform to force him into the car. In an attempt to prove his innocence, Yogesh opened his bag to show the silver inside, but the men continued trying to drag him towards the vehicle, clearly intending to abduct him.
Alarm raised, loot and escape
Sensing danger, Yogesh raised an alarm. Hearing his cries, nearby passengers and pedestrians rushed towards the spot. Cornered, the accused snatched the bag containing silver and cash from Yogesh and sped away in the car. The incident involving men in uniform triggered immediate concern, and the information was promptly relayed to the control room, sending shockwaves through the police establishment.
Breakthrough within 12 hours
Following the alert, Kotwali police and the SOG launched an intensive search across the city and adjoining areas. Around 1 pm on Tuesday, acting on inputs, the police intercepted the accused on a dirt track near the railway line on Mal Godown Road. Rohit and Gopal Krishna (both residents of Pachawari village, Sadabad, Hathras), along with PAC jawan Narendra (resident of Guddar village, Panigaon, Jamunapar), were arrested. During the operation, two accused—including another PAC jawan—managed to flee.
Recoveries and remand
From the possession of the arrested men, police recovered 2.452 kg of silver, ₹60,000 in cash, two country-made pistols, cartridges, a black bag, and the Baleno car used in the crime. All three were produced before the court and subsequently sent to judicial custody.
Car sourced from an acquaintance
Investigations revealed that the car used in the incident was arranged by PAC jawan Narendra. The vehicle reportedly belongs to an individual from Ghaziabad and was brought specifically for executing the crime.
From duty-time acquaintance to crime
Police further disclosed that around one and a half years ago, Narendra was posted on duty in Mathura, during which he became acquainted with Rohit. Their shared background led to a friendship that eventually turned into a criminal conspiracy. Raids are underway to nab the absconding accused, and police say arrests are expected soon.
The episode has once again raised serious questions about accountability and the sanctity of the uniform, even as the swift police action has offered the victim hope of justice.
