New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested a man accused of stealing two golden urns and other valuables worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore from a Jain religious event held at the Red Fort premises. The accused, identified as Bhushan Verma, was caught in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, after being spotted on CCTV footage.
The theft took place on September 3 during the Daslakshan Mahaparv, a 10-day Jain festival that began on August 28 at the August 15 Park inside the Red Fort. Verma allegedly posed as a devotee by wearing a dhoti-kurta and made away with the ornaments, which included a 760-gram gold urn, a diamond, emerald, and ruby-studded urn weighing 115 grams, and a gold coconut.
Police said Verma does not belong to the Jain community and already faces several criminal cases. The stolen items belonged to businessman Sudhir Jain, who had been bringing them daily for the rituals.
“The thief took advantage of the crowd. The gems are for decoration, but the kalash is deeply tied to our faith. Its sentimental value cannot be measured,” Mr. Jain told reporters.
