SINGAPORE, Jul 21: A Singapore court has sentenced the first of two Indian nationals accused of orchestrating a carefully planned diamond theft from a jewellery store in Chinatown, while proceedings against the second suspect are scheduled later this week.
Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, was handed a prison term of two years, two months and two weeks after admitting guilt to a theft charge linked to the high-value gemstone theft. His alleged accomplice, 30 year old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, is due to appear before the court on Friday.
According to local media reports, the pair travelled to Singapore in June with the sole intention of stealing a 4.95-carat diamond valued at around SGD 200,000 (approximately USD 154,000).
Investigators said the operation was meticulously planned before the duo arrived in Singapore. The suspects allegedly arranged for a fake diamond to be manufactured in Surat to closely resemble the original gemstone, including matching its specifications and serial number. Court records, however, do not explain how they obtained the details of the genuine diamond in advance.
The theft unfolded inside a jewellery store in Chinatown on June 19 when the suspects requested to inspect the diamond. While Mangroliya kept the sales manager occupied by asking to view other jewellery items, Milan allegedly carried out the exchange by replacing the genuine gemstone with the counterfeit one he had concealed in his mouth.
The pair left the store after telling staff they would return after considering the purchase. Shortly afterwards, the sales manager examined the stone using a gemstone verification device and discovered that the displayed diamond had been replaced with a fake.
The suspects then returned to their hotel, checked out earlier than planned and headed to Changi Airport to leave Singapore the same evening.
Authorities arrested both men at Changi Airport Terminal 3 while they were attempting to clear immigration. Police recovered the genuine diamond from Milan’s bag, effectively foiling the escape attempt.
Mangroliya has remained in custody since being charged on June 20. During sentencing, prosecutors argued that the crime involved significant planning and coordination, noting that the accused had entered Singapore specifically to execute the theft.
The prosecution highlighted the deliberate preparation involved in commissioning a counterfeit gemstone and carrying out the coordinated distraction and swap operation to avoid detection.
Seeking leniency through an interpreter, Mangroliya told the court that he has two children in India and appealed for a lighter sentence.
Under Singapore law, theft committed inside a building carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment, along with the possibility of a fine. Proceedings against the second accused remain pending.