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.

Gwalior Police Arrest ‘Bunty-Babli’ Duo for 57 Interstate Thefts

An interstate theft gang led by a husband-wife duo was busted by Gwalior police after committing 57 robberies across three states.

 In a major breakthrough, the Gwalior police have arrested a husband-wife duo responsible for a string of high-profile robberies across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The couple, whose operations mirrored the cinematic 'Bunty-Babli' style, targeted 12 cities over several months, focusing exclusively on high-value assets like cash and jewelry.

Sophisticated Modus Operandi

The accused, identified as Arvind Rajak (32) and his wife Jyoti Rajak (30), reportedly executed their crimes with meticulous planning. To evade law enforcement and mislead investigators, the duo utilized three different motorcycles for a single operation.

According to officials, they used one bike for reconnaissance, a second to reach the target site, and a third as a getaway vehicle parked at a distance. This tactic ensured that CCTV surveillance across different districts never flagged a consistent vehicle, making tracking nearly impossible for months.

Series of Gwalior Heists

The investigation gained momentum following six consecutive robberies in the Maharajpura area of Gwalior. The sudden spike in daytime housebreakings had put local authorities under significant pressure.

"The suspects were highly calculated, conducting recce of vacant houses during the day and striking under the cover of darkness," a senior police official stated. The breakthrough came when investigators analyzed hundreds of hours of footage, eventually identifying a pattern in their movements despite the changing vehicles.

Strategic Role Distribution

Police sources indicated that Arvind was the primary executor of the break-ins, while Jyoti played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth escape. By traveling together as a couple, they frequently bypassed police checkpoints without raising suspicion.

This domestic "cover" allowed them to move stolen goods across state borders with relative ease. Sources added that the presence of a woman on the bike acted as a psychological shield, as patrolling units were less likely to intercept what appeared to be a regular commuting couple.

Extensive Criminal History

Arvind Rajak is no stranger to the legal system, with 56 cases of theft already registered against him in various districts including Jhansi, Sehore, Hoshangabad, and several cities in Gujarat.

While Jyoti had only one prior case registered against her in Jhansi, her active involvement in the Gwalior thefts has brought her under the full scanner of the law. This latest arrest is expected to solve dozens of pending cases across the interstate corridor.

Massive Recovery Made

Following the arrest, the police recovered a significant haul of stolen property. The seized items include two gold necklaces, two gold chains, four rings, and a pair of bracelets, totaling approximately 105 grams of gold.

The market value of the recovered jewelry is estimated at ₹15.75 lakh. Additionally, ₹2 lakh in cash was recovered from their possession, bringing the total valuation of the seized property to ₹17.75 lakh.

Judicial Custody Granted

ASP Vidita Dagar confirmed that the duo confessed to their involvement in the Maharajpura thefts during interrogation. The police are now shifting their focus toward identifying the network of receivers who helped the couple liquidate stolen jewelry.

The accused were produced before a local court on Sunday and have been remanded to judicial custody. This arrest marks a significant win for the Gwalior police in their ongoing crackdown on organized interstate crime.

In a shocking twist of betrayal, a lawyer from Indore has accused his wife of attempted poisoning during a Shillong trip, leading to a police manhunt for her and her lover who fled with gold worth ₹42 lakh. The case, filed at Khudail police station, highlights rising matrimonial frauds and has gripped Madhya Pradesh with its dramatic revelations.

Failed Poison Plot on Shillong Hills

Bhupendra, the victim lawyer from Khudail, Indore, met Neelima via a matrimonial website in 2024. She claimed to be divorced, and they married in November that year. Soon, Neelima introduced Shubham as her "brother" or "maternal cousin," but he was her boyfriend, sharing the surname Gupta.

During their family trip to Shillong, Meghalaya, Bhupendra alleges Neelima mixed a poisonous substance in his food, making him gravely ill. She then tried to push him off a hill, but he survived. "I felt dizzy and collapsed; it was clear poisoning," Bhupendra told police.

Gold Theft and Sudden Disappearance

After the failed attempted poisoning, Neelima and Shubham vanished. She took 25 tolas of gold jewellery and cash—valued at ₹42 lakh—and never returned. On March 3, 2025, she left for Uttar Pradesh citing Holi celebrations, but traces led to Shubham.

Bhupendra grew suspicious post-trip, uncovering Neelima's divorce documents exposing Shubham's true role. She demanded ₹20,000 monthly, threatening false dowry cases or suicide when refused. Frequent WhatsApp chats and her staying in Shubham's room fueled fights.

Police Launch Technical Hunt

Khudail police station in-charge Karnisinh Shaktawat confirmed a case under relevant IPC sections for attempted poisoning, cheating, and theft. "We're tracing their mobiles, questioning contacts, and alerting UP and Meghalaya police," he said. Technical surveillance is on, with sketches circulated.

This Indore poisoning case matters now amid surging cyber-matrimonial scams in India—over 10,000 reported last year per NCRB data. Experts like criminologist Dr. Rajesh Mishra warn: "Verify backgrounds thoroughly; red flags like unexplained 'relatives' signal danger."

Practical Takeaways for Readers:

• Check divorce papers and family ties before marriage.
  
  

• Monitor unusual demands or secretive chats.
  
  

• Report suspicions immediately to avoid escalation.
  
  

Bhupendra urges caution: "Matrimonial sites need stricter checks." As the police hunt intensifies, will Neelima and Shubham be caught? Stay tuned for updates on this chilling saga.