Surat Diamond Robbery: 32 Crore Heist Stuns India’s Diamond City

Surat Diamond Robbery: Surat, the world’s diamond capital, witnessed one of its most shocking incidents in recent years—a daring robbery worth ₹32.6 crore (over $3.9 million). On the night of August 17, 2025, five thieves arrived in two rickshaws, carrying gas cutters and other burglary tools. Within hours, they managed to break into D.K. Sons Diamond Company, one of the biggest diamond businesses in the Varachha area of Surat, and looted a treasure trove of polished and raw diamonds.

The robbery has not only left the diamond industry in panic but also raised serious questions about the security of one of the most valuable trades in India. This heist is now being widely referred to as the “Surat Diamond Robbery.”

How the Heist Unfolded

According to police reports, the robbers divided themselves into two groups.

• One rickshaw carried three men, while the other carried two men along with heavy tools, including a gas cutter machine.
• Around midnight, they reached D.K. Sons & Company, located at Khodiyarnagar Road, Varachha.
• The gang broke into the building, cut open the safe with a gas cutter, and looted diamonds worth ₹32.6 crore along with some cash.

At around 2:00 AM, the thieves abandoned the rickshaws near Surat Railway Station and disappeared. Investigators believe they may have escaped towards Mumbai or Rajasthan, considering the connections of the diamond industry in those regions.

Who Owns D.K. Sons Diamond Company?

The looted company belongs to Devendra Kumar Choudhary, a well-known businessman popularly called “D.K. Marwari” in Surat. Originally from Rajasthan, he entered the diamond business nearly 20 years ago.

• He started with a small diamond unit in Varachha’s Kapodara area.
• Over the years, his company grew into one of Surat’s largest firms, with a four-storey diamond factory employing hundreds of workers.
• Today, the company has an annual turnover of around ₹300 crore.
• His two sons, Piyushkumar and Ishan, are also active in the family business.

D.K. Marwari is highly respected in the Kathiyawadi diamond community. His firm mainly deals in polished and rough diamonds and has strong connections with Mumbai and international markets.

Why Were the Diamonds Stored in the Office?

The timing of the robbery is extremely significant. Just four days before the heist, D.K. Sons had scheduled a major diamond auction.

To prepare for this auction, a huge stock of polished and raw diamonds was stored in the company’s safe. Normally, such large quantities are not kept in one place, but because of the upcoming event, the company’s vault was filled to capacity.

Unfortunately, this provided the perfect opportunity for the thieves, who seemed to have inside knowledge of the business operations.

Timeline of the Incident

• August 15 (Independence Day & Janmashtami): The company declared a three-day holiday. Devendra Kumar personally locked the diamonds in the office safe before leaving.
• August 17 (Sunday Night): The robbers arrived with rickshaws and burglary tools, broke into the office, and cut open the vault.
• August 18 (Monday Morning): The theft was discovered. Police and forensic teams rushed to the site. Evidence samples were collected, and the investigation began immediately.

How the Police Investigation is Progressing

Multiple Teams Involved

The case has become a top priority for Surat police.

• Over 50 police officers have been deployed.
• Teams from Crime Branch, Local Crime Branch (LCB), Kapodara Police, and Varachha Police are all working together.
• CCTV footage from the building and surrounding areas is under detailed examination.

Possible Insider Connection

One of the strongest suspicions is that the robbers had inside help. This is because:

• The building’s main gate was opened with a key, not broken.
• The thieves knew exactly where the diamonds were stored.
• They carried specific equipment like gas cutters, which are not commonly used in random robberies.

Former Employees Under Scrutiny

• A former security guard, who was recently fired, is being investigated. However, police have confirmed that he was in Jharkhand during the robbery.
• Two other ex-employees of the company are also on the radar, as they were familiar with the office structure.

CCTV Clues

CCTV footage has captured four men arriving in a rickshaw with heavy equipment, believed to be the gas cutter and cylinders. However, their faces were either masked or unclear.

Challenges in the Investigation

Surat is a city with thousands of diamond units and a complex network of workers from different states—mainly Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Tracking down five thieves who could easily blend into the crowd is not an easy task.

Additionally, once diamonds are stolen, they can be easily transported, cut, and sold in international black markets, making recovery extremely difficult.

Why This Heist Shook the Diamond Industry

The Surat Diamond Robbery is not just about money—it is about trust, reputation, and security in India’s diamond capital.

1. Surat is the hub of global diamond polishing, handling 90% of the world’s rough diamonds.
2. The robbery highlights security loopholes in private firms.
3. It raises fear among small and medium diamond traders, who may now worry about storing high-value goods.
4. The incident could push companies to adopt advanced digital security systems like biometric safes, AI-powered CCTV, and armed guards.

Police Theory: Could It Be a Professional Gang?

Many experts believe this is not a simple burglary but the work of a professional gang:

• The precision in execution.
• The use of industrial tools like gas cutters.
• The exact timing—just before the auction.
• The escape plan involving rickshaws (to avoid drawing suspicion).

Police are also considering whether the diamonds may have already been smuggled out of Gujarat within hours of the heist.

Community Reaction

The incident has created shockwaves in Surat’s business community.

• Traders are demanding tighter police patrols in diamond hubs like Varachha, Kapodara, and Khodiyarnagar.
• Many companies are reconsidering how they store diamonds during festivals or holidays.
• Some are even thinking of moving operations to Mumbai for added security.

Lessons from the Surat Diamond Robbery

This robbery has provided key lessons not only for Surat but for all diamond hubs globally:

1. Holiday Risks: Long weekend holidays create an opportunity for burglars.
2. Insider Threats: Businesses must thoroughly vet employees and ex-staff.
3. Surveillance: CCTV alone is not enough—AI-enabled monitoring is crucial.
4. Bank Vaults vs. Office Vaults: High-value goods should be moved to bank lockers or secure warehouses during holidays.

Global Context of Diamond Heists

The Surat Diamond Robbery joins the list of some of the biggest jewel heists in history:

• Antwerp Diamond Heist (2003, Belgium): $100 million worth of diamonds stolen.
• Hatton Garden Heist (2015, London): $20 million burglary carried out by elderly thieves.
• Surat (2025, India): ₹32.6 crore robbery that exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s diamond hub.

These cases show that despite technological advances, diamond thefts remain a lucrative crime worldwide.

Also read: Surat News: Diamonds Worth Over ₹25 Crore Stolen from DK & Sons in Surat, Vault Cut Open with Gas Cutter

Conclusion

The Surat Diamond Robbery is not just a crime story—it is a wake-up call for India’s billion-dollar diamond industry. With diamonds being one of the most valuable and portable commodities in the world, ensuring their safety requires constant vigilance, strong security infrastructure, and cooperation with law enforcement.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes remain on Surat, the city that polishes the world’s diamonds, now struggling to restore its shine after a daring ₹32.6 crore heist.

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