The City Police arrested Hitesh alias Bunty Kothari from Gondia on Sunday for being the key figure behind the relocation of cash and gold, with an estimated value of over Rs 12 crore, to an undisclosed ‘safe haven’. However, the mysterious recipient of these assets, whose identity remains concealed, poses a challenge for investigators. A police official said that on-line gaming fraudster Sontu Jain had refused to divulge the identity of the person who accepted three bags with gold and cash from Kothari. The police have initiated an extensive investigation to uncover the whereabouts of the ‘safe haven’ chosen by Sontu’s associate. Just days before Kothari’s arrest, investigators had stumbled upon 3.2 kg of gold and Rs 1.35 crore in cash belonging to Dr Gaurav Bagga in Gondia.

 

Despite persistent police questioning, Sontu Jain continues to deflect inquiries with evasive responses, according to the police official. The police stated that this clandestine operation was a joint conspiracy between Sontu Jain and others to transfer cash and gold assets from Axis Bank to an undisclosed location. The person who received the bags was identified as a close relative of Sontu Jain. The police suspect that the transferred assets may have been taken away in Rajasthan where Sontu had taken refuge following the rejection of his pre-arrest bail application by the High Court.

Hitesh Kothari, initially detained for almost two days for questioning, finally confessed to his involvement in receiving the cash and gold. He was formally arrested on Sunday and presented in court for custodial remand.

 

During the court proceedings, the prosecution sought police custody for Kothari, stressing that Dr Bagga had entrusted him with the bags containing valuable assets. However, the defense counsel, Adv Prakash Jaiswal, argued that there was insufficient evidence to implicate Kothari for criminal breach of trust or cheating. Adv Jaiswal contended that the case primarily hinges on a confessional statement from a co-accused, which does not constitute legal evidence under the law. Following arguments from both sides, the court ordered the police custody of Kothari till October 27.