Investigations have revealed that the accused, Ashish alias Karamveer Singh, had contacted a number of wholesale dealers in the region, including Delhi, asking for delivery of goods in Panchkula with an aim to rob them in a similar fashion.

“Only the Amritsar jeweller had agreed to the scheme. Also, the accused introduced himself as Karamveer Singh to the owner of the flat in the AWHO society, saying he wanted its possession as early as possible as his wife was pregnant,” said DSP Varinder Singh. The police are also checking the call details of Ashish’s mobile phone.

A relative of the Amritsar-based shop-owner, Ashok Kumar, said: “The accused introduced himself as Ashish and called us several times requesting delivery. Though we refused initially, but as he was quite persistent, we finally agreed. From the way he discussed the consignment with us, it seemed as if he had complete knowledge of the jewellery business.”