Suspect in Canada's biggest gold heist of Rs 173 crore found living in Chandigarh: Report

Now living on the outskirts of Chandigarh, 32-year-old Simran Preet Panesar who is the former Air Canada manager is facing a warrant and wanted by Canadian authorities for being involved in a gold heist of over Rs 173 crore ($20 million).

According to a report by The Indian Express, the publication has traced Panesar who lives with his family which includes his wife Preety in a rented accomodation.

The gold heist which is the largest in the country's history took place in April 2023 when 6,600 pure gold bars weighing 400 kg along with foreign currencies worth Rs 21 crore (2.5 million) were stolen from cargo compound of Pearson International Airport.

According to IE, Panesar who was at his residence refused to talk on record with the publication citing 'legal reasons'.

Panesar who was then living in Ontario's Brampton had led the police on a tour of the airport's cargo compound prior to him being suspected of his involvement in the heist.

Though there were reports that Panesar would turn himself, it didn't happen. Queries were also sent to his lawyer in Canada and to him in India.

According to the publication's report, he refused to speak citing 'legal reasons and his family's safety'.

The Peel Regional Police have been conducting a probe into the heist and documents based on it have revealed that in one year about 20 police officers have worked on it and for 28,096 hours and worked overtime as well for about 9,500 hours.

According to the investigation, "The tasks included surveillance, interviewing, investor and affiant. Video canvass tracing the truck’s journey in which the gold bars were allegedly transported out of the cargo terminal of the Pearson International Airport, Toronto lasted four weeks and spanned over 28 kilometres and three different jurisdictions."

As of now, the case has nine suspects including Panesar and another Air Canada employee named Parampal Sidhu, who Peel Police believe worked together in the heist.

Panesar's lawyer has 'been in touch' with the Peel Regional Police.

According to IE, the investigation documents also revealed, "Parampal Sidhu and Preet Panesar worked at Air Canada and facilitated the theft to take place. A Canadian national, Durante King-McLean, was the driver of the truck in which the gold was allegedly transported out of the Pearson International Airport. Archit Grover is a long-time friend of Parampal and employer of King-McLean. Grover also owned the trucking company that owned the truck used in the theft. Amit Jalota is Archit Grover’s cousin and his associate Arsalan Chaudhary looked after the stolen gold. Jalota facilitated melting of the gold through Ali Raza. Ammad Chaudhary, Prasath Parmalingam and Arsalan Chaudhary assisted King Mc-Lean in crossing the border and helped him stay in the United States of America for a long time."

The police have until now recovered Rs 3 crore ($ 4,30,000) in cash and 6 gold bracelets worth Rs 77,09,180 ($ 89,000).