Surat Diamond Heist: Rs.32.6 Cr Stolen in 2 Hours

Surat | Gujarat — In what is being described as one of the biggest diamond heists in recent years, thieves looted diamonds worth a staggering ₹32.6 crore from DK Sons Diamond Company, located in the heart of Surat’s diamond hub, Varachha within two hours of the operation. The precision of the robbery and the suspected insider involvement has sent shockwaves across the diamond industry.

According to police, five men arrived in two auto-rickshaws on the night of August 17, carrying gas cutters and other tools. They broke into the company vault, cut open the safe, and escaped with polished and rough diamonds, as well as cash. After the theft, the gang reportedly got off near Surat railway station around 2 am and disappeared. Investigators suspect they may have fled towards Mumbai or Rajasthan.

A Well-Planned Operation

DK Sons Diamond Company, owned by Devendra Kumar Chaudhary – popularly known as DK Marwadi, has been operating for over two decades in Varachha. The company has an annual turnover of around ₹300 crore and strong business ties with Mumbai and international markets.

Speaking to reporters, DCP Alok Kumar said, “The thieves used a gas cutter to break open the vault, which suggests detailed planning. We are probing in multiple directions, questioning employees, and examining CCTV footage. No stone will be left unturned.”

The police have deployed over 50 personnel from the Crime Branch, LCB, and local police stations to crack the case.

Suspicions of Insider Involvement

Initial investigations suggest that the main entrance of the building was not forced open, but rather unlocked using a key. This has raised suspicions of insider help.

A senior police officer revealed, “The fact that the door was opened with a key and not broken indicates the possibility of an insider being involved. Moreover, carrying a heavy gas cutter into the building without being noticed also points in this direction.”

The police have questioned 15 employees, including two who were recently laid off. They also interrogated a former security guard now living in Jharkhand, but he was cleared of involvement.

Businessman Known for Auctions

DK Sons had drastically reduced diamond polishing operations post-Covid, employing only 10–20 workers compared to 1,500 before the pandemic. Instead, the company now focuses on diamond auctions.

Ironically, a major auction was scheduled just four days after the robbery. Police suspect the thieves were aware of the company’s schedules and that valuable stones were stored in the vault.

“It is clear the criminals knew exactly when to strike,” said a diamond industry insider. “The timing, tools, and knowledge of the vault’s contents all indicate inside information.”

Industry Shockwaves

The heist has become the talk of Surat’s diamond market, which handles over 90% of the world’s diamond cutting and polishing. Traders expressed concern that such incidents damage the city’s reputation for trust and security.

A local diamond merchant commented, “Surat thrives on trust. Such a high-profile theft not only hurts one businessman but shakes confidence across the industry. Security measures must be tightened.”

The Hunt for the Thieves

CCTV footage has captured four men carrying what appears to be a gas cutter machine in a rickshaw, though identities remain unclear. Investigators believe at least four to five men were involved, given the weight of the equipment used.

The Surat police are working on multiple leads and coordinating with counterparts in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. “We are following all possible routes of escape. The diamonds may have already been moved out of Gujarat,” a senior investigator said.