5 held for selling counterfeit gold idols, bricks:Nishatpura police recovers Rs 62k in cash, fake articles; accused planned deception across 2 districts

Bhopal’s Nishatpura Police on Friday exposed a gang involved in duping citizens, who used to sell counterfeit gold items, the police reported on Saturday. Five accused, as per police, have been arrested, and police have seized cash and fake gold articles worth Rs 62,000. Gang planned deception across 2 districts Nishatpura police station in-charge Manoj Patwa said that the complainant Vikas Soni (37), a resident of Gas Rahat Colony at Berasia Road in Bhopal, along with his brother-in-law Suresh Soni, was lured by the accused with a fraudulent offer involving gold idols. On October 13, 2025, the accused convinced the duo to travel from Bhopal to Betul, where they handed over Rs 1,40,000 to the accused, in exchange for what turned out to be a fake gold idol. Three days later, on October 16, 2025, the accused once again attempted to cheat the complainant. This time, they offered a “gold brick” to extort more money. The meeting was arranged near Amruttulya Tea Shop outside People’s Mall in Bhopal. However, suspecting foul play, Vikas Soni informed the police, who immediately raided the location and apprehended the culprits. Cash and fake gold seized Police recovered as much as Rs 62,000 in cash and counterfeit gold items. The seized goods included: Names of the accused The arrested individuals have been identified as: The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and have initiated further investigation to trace other possible victims and associates linked with the racket. ​