Police Stop Attempt to Snatch Gold Worth Over ₹1.10 Crore at Calicut Airport

Police halted a gang’s effort to abduct a woman carrying 817 g of gold valued at more than ₹1.10 crore at Calicut International Airport, Karipur, on Monday around 3 a.m. ## What Happened A police team spotted a suspicious group in the arrivals area and kept them under watch. The group followed 27‑year‑old Abhirami of Vandanmedu, Idukki, after she arrived from abroad. When she reached the parking area with Harshal, 40, a Kochi native who had come to receive the gold, the gang blocked their way and seized her trolley bag. Police intervened as the gang tried to overpower Harshal. In the ensuing struggle the accused assaulted a police officer, bit home guard Murali Krishna and attempted to run over an officer with a car, narrowly missing him. ## Reaction Police arrested Sayanth, 28, and Babilesh, 40, both from Kallachi, Nadapuram, and also took Abhirami and Harshal into custody. The gold had been sent with Abhirami by Swalih of Thamarassery. About ten people in two cars had converged to seize the gold and abduct her. A search of Abhirami’s baggage uncovered 14 gold plates hidden inside an emergency lamp, weighing 817 g after cleaning. The seized gold, ₹67,000 allegedly meant as payment for Abhirami, a car and the two detained men were handed over to the Customs Department. Police said the arrested men have been involved in several similar cases, noting that one had lost a hand in a blast. ## Context Gold smuggling through Indian airports is a criminal activity tracked by customs and police, and seized items are typically transferred to customs for legal processing.