Suspect allegedly targeted wedding venues by posing as a guest; police link him to five similar theft cases
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
Bengaluru police have arrested a 41-year-old man accused of stealing gold ornaments worth more than ₹1 crore from a US-based Indian doctor during a family wedding in the city, bringing a major breakthrough in a high-profile theft case reported earlier this year.
The accused, identified as B. Aseef, was arrested by the Avalahalli police following an investigation into a series of thefts at wedding venues. Police said he is suspected of involvement in five similar cases, including four within Avalahalli police limits and one in the neighbouring Bagalur area.
Investigators recovered around 340 grams of stolen gold ornaments and a car allegedly used in the offences, with the recovered property valued at about ₹47 lakh. According to police, the suspect had sold or pledged part of the stolen jewellery at jewellery shops in Hoskote, while much of the remaining gold had allegedly been disposed of to fund online gaming and gambling activities.
The theft occurred in April when the doctor, who had travelled from the United States to attend her nephew’s wedding at a marriage hall on Old Madras Road in Bidarahalli, reported that around 725 grams of gold jewellery had disappeared from a room during the celebrations. The ornaments were estimated to be worth more than ₹1 crore.
Police said the accused previously worked in credit card and SIM card sales before allegedly turning to theft after developing an addiction to online gaming. Officers claim he would attend weddings posing as a guest before entering unlocked guest rooms and stealing valuables.
The suspect was reportedly caught under suspicious circumstances at another marriage hall on July 8 after guests noticed him loitering near accommodation rooms. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is continuing.
