Employee Nabbed Smuggling Branded Clothes in Undergarments at Rewa Shop

CCTV footage exposes elaborate theft racket; accused threatens shopkeeper after arrest

A brazen theft case has surfaced in Rewa's City Kotwali police jurisdiction, exposing how a shop employee systematically pilfered expensive merchandise right under the owner's nose—by hiding branded garments inside his undergarments.

The accused, identified as Ashish Singh, worked at a readymade clothing store on Prakash Chowk. For over two weeks starting mid-April, he executed a calculated scheme to steal premium branded shirts, kurtas, and blazers, evading detection until CCTV footage cracked the operation wide open.

The Elaborate Smuggling Method

Singh's theft technique was deliberately cunning. He would approach high-value items during operating hours, carefully timing his movements to avoid the gaze of fellow staff members. Once he spotted a target—designer kurtas or expensive blazers—he would slip the garment inside his undergarments before casually walking out, often inventing excuses to leave the premises.

"He would then dispose of the stolen items outside the shop," a police official explained during preliminary questioning.

The strategy worked for several weeks. Singh assumed the shop's inventory fluctuations would go unnoticed in the regular business cycle. What he hadn't anticipated was how meticulously the owner monitored stock levels.

CCTV Footage Reveals the Truth

Shop owner Jitendra Khuwani noticed persistent shortfalls in his merchandise around mid-April. The frequency was unusual—high-value items disappearing without corresponding sales records. His suspicion mounted as days passed, prompting him to review CCTV footage from the store's security system.

The recordings told a damning story. From April 15 onwards, Singh appeared repeatedly executing the same theft routine. The footage clearly showed him concealing items and sneaking out during slow business periods. Within hours of realising he was caught, Singh abandoned his job.

But his troubles were just beginning.

Threat and Police Action

Rather than face consequences, Singh allegedly turned aggressive. He confronted Khuwani with threats, warning him against filing a police complaint and threatening physical harm. The shopkeeper, undeterred, approached City Kotwali police.

The case was registered, and police moved swiftly. Singh was arrested and brought in for interrogation. During questioning, he confessed to the thefts, citing financial desperation as the motive. "He admitted to stealing due to greed," the investigating officer noted.

The accused was presented before the court, which remanded him into police custody pending further investigation. He now faces charges under theft and criminal intimidation provisions.

What Police Found

Initial investigations suggest Singh targeted only premium branded items, indicating prior knowledge of inventory and pricing. Police are examining whether this was an isolated operation or part of a larger racket involving external buyers.

Store owner Khuwani confirmed that the total value of stolen goods exceeded ₹50,000, though the final assessment is still underway. The case highlights how employee theft remains a persistent challenge for small retail businesses, often going undetected for weeks.

Rewa Police Respond

City Kotwali station in-charge Nisha Mishra confirmed the arrest and outlined the department's approach. "We registered a case based on the complaint and arrested the accused. He confessed during interrogation. The court sent him into judicial custody," she stated.

The incident has also prompted renewed discussions among local shop owners about security measures. Several retailers at Prakash Chowk have reportedly upgraded their surveillance systems following this case.

For Khuwani, the episode serves as a costly reminder that internal vigilance often matters as much as external security. His decision to review CCTV footage—a routine step many owners overlook—ultimately prevented further losses and brought the perpetrator to account.