Jewellery Shop Employee and Accomplice Arrested for Fleeing with ₹65 Lakh

Police in Chennai have arrested a jewellery shop employee and his accomplice for allegedly absconding with ₹65 lakh in cash. The incident originated on May 6, when Nikhalchand Jain, owner of a gold and silver shop on NSC Bose Road, instructed his employee, Naveen, to exchange 26 kg of silver bars for cash with an individual named Dileep at Mint Street. After receiving the money, Naveen switched off his phone and fled. An investigation by the Elephant Gate Police Station Crime Wing led to Naveen's arrest in Ooty, where only a small fraction of the money was recovered. During interrogation, Naveen revealed he had conspired with Pradeep Kumar, also known as Prarthana, a transgender individual he had recently befriended. Naveen had transferred ₹63 lakh to Prarthana in Chennai before fleeing to Ooty with the remaining ₹2 lakh. Police subsequently arrested Prarthana in Moolakothalam and recovered ₹53,23,830 belonging to the complainant. Both accused are now in custody as authorities continue their legal proceedings regarding the theft and conspiracy.