Shukla went to Naranpura police station on Friday morning and handed over 23 gold bars, each weighing a kg, to the police.
Police registered a complaint against Shukla under Section 403 IPC (dishonest misappropriation of property), because the packet containing 25 kg and so far only 23 kg had been accounted for.
On questioning, police learnt one of his mechanics Asif Qureshi had taken one of the gold bars to his home. The police team recovered it later.
Inspector N D Solanki said, “Shukla who runs Ankit Auto Garage came to us on Friday morning. He told us that he had found the missing gold.”
Shukla said, “We were working in the garage on Wednesday when a van passed by. Some workers heard a loud noise and went outside to check. They found a heavy packet containing gold bars.”
Shukla said the workers began dividing the bars among themselves. “I advised them against it. I told them that the owner would return here searching for the gold."
Shukla added, “Late on Thursday, I heard others discussing about the lost gold and that the police were looking for it. So I contacted the Naranpura police and informed them about the bars.”
ACP (B-Division) B R Patel said, “We are trying to find the remaining gold by jointly interrogating Shukla and Qureshi. We are looking for missing links in the case.”