Raipur Jeweller Employee Steals Gold Worth Over ₹2 Crore

Employee Absconds with Jewellery Instead of Depositing in Locker

In a shocking case of internal theft, a long-time employee of a reputed jewellery shop in Raipur's Sadar Bazaar allegedly stole gold ornaments valued at more than ₹2 crore. The incident has left the business owner stunned, as the accused had been working at the shop for 16 years and was entrusted with daily closing responsibilities.

Police have registered a case of embezzlement against the employee, identified as Suraj Sahu, and are actively searching for him. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the employee carrying away the jewellery.

Trusted Employee Betrays Faith

The victim, businessman Suresh Bhansali, owns Manoharmal & Company, a well-known gold and silver trading shop in Sadar Bazaar under the Purani Basti police station limits. According to police, Sahu was responsible for displaying jewellery during the day and securing it in the locker before the shop closed.

On April 9, 2026, after the shop shut for the day around evening, Sahu reportedly took the ornaments with him instead of placing them in the locker. The theft went unnoticed initially due to his long association with the business.

Stock Discrepancy Triggers Probe

The matter came to light on April 13 during a routine stock matching exercise. A significant shortfall was detected—1495 grams and 670 milligrams of gold jewellery missing. Bhansali immediately questioned all staff members, but none provided any leads.

Suspicion grew after reviewing CCTV footage from the shop. The recording clearly showed Sahu at around 4:21 PM on April 9, collecting and taking away multiple pieces of gold jewellery of various designs.

CCTV Footage Exposes the Theft

The visuals, now with investigators, have become the primary evidence. Police sources said the stolen items include assorted gold ornaments whose market value is estimated at over ₹2 crore. The precise valuation is still being ascertained based on current gold rates and designs.

Kotwali Inspector Satish Singh confirmed that a formal complaint was lodged by the shop owner. A case has been registered, and teams have been dispatched to trace the accused, who is currently absconding. One suspect has been taken into custody for questioning, officials added.

Long Association Raises Questions

Sahu’s 16-year tenure at the shop has surprised both police and the business community. Colleagues described him as a familiar face who enjoyed the trust of the owner. This breach has prompted many local jewellers to review their internal security protocols, especially regarding staff responsibilities during closing hours.

Local traders in Sadar Bazaar expressed concern over rising incidents of theft in the jewellery sector. Just weeks earlier, another shop in the city, Lakshya Jewellers in Khamhardih, reported a similar late-night burglary involving gold and silver items worth around ₹1 crore.

Police Intensify Search

Investigating teams are checking possible hideouts of the accused and analysing technical evidence, including CCTV footage and call records. Inspector Singh stated that efforts are underway to recover the stolen gold and arrest Sahu at the earliest.

“Initial investigation points towards planned action. We are pursuing multiple leads,” a police officer familiar with the case said.

Authorities have appealed to the public for any information regarding Sahu’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, the shop owner has requested strict action and speedy recovery of the valuables.

Impact on Local Jewellery Trade

This incident comes at a time when gold prices remain high, making such thefts particularly lucrative yet damaging for businesses. For shop owners in busy markets like Sadar Bazaar, it highlights vulnerabilities in reliance on long-serving staff without additional safeguards.

Police investigations continue, and further details are expected in the coming days as teams track financial trails and possible buyers of the stolen jewellery.

The case has once again underscored the need for better surveillance, regular audits, and background checks even for trusted employees in the jewellery business.

Rewa ATM Fraud: Teacher Loses Rs 80,000 in Card Swap Scam

Two miscreants posing as helpers swapped the debit card of a school teacher at an ATM booth in Rewa and withdrew more than Rs 80,000 from his account. The Rewa ATM fraud came to light on Saturday when CCTV footage of the April 8 incident surfaced.

ATM Card Swap Incident

The incident took place at the Neem Chauraha ATM booth under Vivi police station area. Mithailal Saket, a teacher posted at Kandaila School in Baikunthpur and resident of Ravidas Nagar, had gone to withdraw cash on Wednesday evening.

He inserted his card but the transaction failed. As he stood confused, two young men waiting outside entered the booth offering help.

Pretext of Assistance Used

The duo acted swiftly. While one distracted the teacher, the other swapped his card with a different one belonging to a person named Kamta Giri. Saket, unaware of the switch, took the fake card and left for home.

Fraudsters Empty Account

A short while later, the accused used the original card at another ATM and withdrew over Rs 80,000. The teacher received SMS alerts on his mobile phone about the large transaction. When he checked his card, he realised it was not his own.

Victim Realises Fraud via Message

Shocked, Saket immediately lodged a complaint with Vivi police. He confirmed that the card he was carrying belonged to someone else and that his account had been cleaned out.

CCTV Footage Released

Police registered a case after receiving the complaint. The ATM booth’s CCTV cameras captured the entire sequence clearly. The footage, which surfaced on Saturday, shows the two accused in action and has become the main evidence in the probe.

Police Initiate Probe

Officers are now using the CCTV images to identify and trace the duo. Teams have been formed to scan nearby areas and check possible hideouts. No arrests have been made so far.

Safety Advisory Issued

Rewa police have appealed to citizens to remain extra cautious at ATM booths. Officials urged people never to accept help from strangers and to never share their card or PIN with anyone. They also advised users to cover the keypad while entering the PIN.

The Rewa ATM fraud has once again highlighted the growing sophistication of such crimes in smaller cities. Police said they are treating the matter seriously and expect to identify the accused soon using the clear visuals from the footage.

Local residents expressed concern over the safety of public ATMs, especially after dark. Many said they now prefer to visit bank branches or use digital payments for larger amounts. Authorities have promised regular patrolling around ATM kiosks in the district to prevent similar incidents.

As the investigation continues, police have asked anyone with information about the two men shown in the CCTV to contact the nearest police station immediately. The case remains under active probe.