Business rivalry behind gold robbery in Keralam’s Chala; owner of rival outlet taken into custody

Representational image | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The ongoing investigation into the gold robbery at Chala here has indicated that the crime was allegedly motivated by business rivalry with the intention of financially crippling the jewellery business.The Fort police have taken Jayaram, the owner of a rival jewellery outlet in the area, into custody for detailed questioning in connection with his suspected links to the conspiracy. He was taken into custody based on a statement by Nandakumar, who was robbed of the gold, that Jayaram had threatened him a few days prior to the robbery.The police are examining whether Jayaram had any direct role in planning or executing the crime and whether he maintained any links with the other accused.Five arrestsFive arrests have been recorded in the case thus far. According to the police, Maharashtra native Amol and his associate Dileep of Thiruvananthapuram allegedly orchestrated the robbery to undermine Mr. Nandakumar’s business. Anoop Raj, a history-sheeter, was allegedly entrusted with undertaking the crime, while the other accused Anil Prasad and Vinod Antony purportedly assisted him.The investigators suspect that the accused believed stealing the gold would put Mr. Nandakumar’s customers in financial difficulty and eventually weaken his business. Amol, a gold agent, is suspected of having recruited a gang to execute the robbery.The gang allegedly intercepted Mr. Nandakumar as he was returning home after closing his jewellery outlet, and fled with a bag containing gold.Anoop, Anil and Vinod were nabbed from Padinjarathara in Wayanad. They reportedly fled to Tamil Nadu, before heading for Bengaluru and later going to Wayanad. The other accused were caught in Thiruvananthapuram.The police are on the lookout for another suspect, Sravan, who purportedly monitored Mr. Nandakumar’s movements throughout the day and passed information to the gang. He reportedly managed to escape when the other accused were apprehended. Published - November 15, 2026 08:53 pm IST