Surat, May 6: A Worker at one of the diamond units at Varachha, who was allegedly involved in the badla of diamonds (exchange of low quality diamonds with high quality diamonds), was killed by the unit owner early on Friday morning.

Police said the owner of the unit and his associates threw the worker off a three-storeyed shopping centre at Kapodara area. The deceased was identified as Dhiru Dabhi (30), a resident of Vishalnagar-I, Varachha. He was employed as a diamond polisher in a unit in Mohannagar Complex.

Dabhi, reportedly managed to escape from his employer a few days ago after he was beaten up for stealing diamonds. The unit owner, Kanu Virani, a resident of Nirmalnagar society at Nanavarachha area, learnt about Dhabi’s whereabouts and accompanied by Dalsukh Virani and Dinesh Jamod caught him and thrashed him before throwing off the terrace of the shopping centre. Dabhi sustained serious head injuries and died on the spot.

According to Police Inspector B J Joshi the deceased was allegedly involved in the stealing of diamonds at the diamond manufacturing unit owned by the accused. He used to steal diamonds using the badla practice and sell them in the market for stolen diamonds. The unit owner came to know of this.

He said the accused are yet to be arrested as they escaped after the murder. A case of murder has been registered against the accused and investigations are on.