He is now reportedly residing on the outskirts of Chandigarh with his wife, Preety, in a rented accommodation.

Chandigarh: A key suspect in Canada’s largest gold heist, valued at Rs 173 crore ($20 million), has been traced to Chandigarh, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Simran Preet Panesar, a 32-year-old former Air Canada manager, is wanted by Canadian authorities and currently faces an arrest warrant. He is now reportedly residing on the outskirts of Chandigarh with his wife, Preety, in a rented accommodation.

The Gold Heist: A $20 Million Theft

The heist, which is the biggest in Canada’s history, took place in April 2023 at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. A total of 6,600 gold bars, weighing 400 kg, were stolen, along with foreign currency worth Rs 21 crore ($2.5 million) from the airport’s cargo compound.

During the investigation, Panesar, who was living in Brampton, Ontario at the time, had even given police a tour of the airport’s cargo facility before being suspected of involvement in the crime. Despite earlier reports suggesting that he might surrender, he has not turned himself in.

Panesar’s Silence Amid Legal Pressure

When approached at his Chandigarh residence, Panesar refused to speak on record, citing legal reasons and concerns for his family’s safety. His lawyer in Canada has also been contacted regarding his potential surrender.

The Investigation and Ongoing Probe

The Peel Regional Police, which is leading the investigation, has deployed 20 officers to work on the case, logging over 28,096 hours, including 9,500 hours of overtime.

According to official documents, authorities have carried out extensive tasks such as surveillance, interviews, video analysis, and tracking the truck’s movement used to transport the stolen gold. The video tracing operation alone spanned four weeks, covering 28 kilometers across three different jurisdictions.

Multiple Suspects Identified

Panesar is one of nine suspects linked to the case, including another Air Canada employee, Parampal Sidhu, who police believe collaborated in the heist.

Authorities have confirmed that Panesar’s lawyer has been in contact with the Peel Regional Police. However, his next move remains uncertain, as law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to bring him and the other suspects to justice.