Bengaluru Jewellery Shop Employee Steals Gold Worth Rs 79 Lakh
In a shocking incident in Bengaluru, an employee of a jewellery shop on Avenue Road absconded with gold ornaments valued at approximately Rs 79 lakh after the shop owner briefly left the premises. The theft occurred at Sankit Gold, located on CT Street Cross, Avenue Road, and has prompted police to issue safety advisories for business owners.
Details of the Theft
According to a complaint filed by Vishal Jain, the 36-year-old owner of Sankit Gold, the accused, identified as Jashwant Singh alias Babu, originally hails from Rajasthan. Singh joined the store as a helper in November 2025, receiving a monthly salary of Rs 12,000. He resigned on December 10, citing inadequate pay, but later contacted Jain expressing willingness to rejoin for Rs 15,000 per month. Jain agreed, and Singh resumed work on February 13 this year.
The theft took place on March 18 between 5:40 PM and 5:55 PM. Jain had stepped out briefly to use the restroom after locking the shop door. Upon returning at 5:55 PM, he found the door open and Singh missing. A subsequent check revealed the loss of 18 long and 15 short gold necklaces, totaling 616 grams in weight, along with Rs 1 lakh in cash. The stolen gold, which is 18-carat, is estimated to be worth Rs 78.8 lakh.
Police Investigation and Case Registration
Efforts to contact Singh proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off. The City Market police station has registered a case under BNS Section 306, which pertains to theft in a dwelling house, means of transportation, place of worship, or similar premises. Authorities are actively investigating the matter to trace the accused and recover the stolen items.
Police Advisory for Prevention
In light of this incident, police have issued recommendations to help prevent such crimes. They emphasize the importance of conducting thorough background verifications for new hires, including collecting ID proof and checking previous employment history. Additionally, shop and house owners are advised to install CCTV cameras covering all areas, particularly entry and exit points.
Employers should avoid granting unrestricted access to new or temporary employees and consider using digital locks or alarm systems to enhance security. These measures are crucial in deterring theft and ensuring the safety of valuable assets.
Related Incident in Bengaluru
This case follows another theft in the city earlier this year. In January, two youths from Rajasthan were arrested for stealing over 12 kg of silver ornaments from Dhanalaxmi Rhodium LLP, a silver polishing unit on Bettappa Lane, CT Street. The owner, Kishan Bishnoi, reported that one of the accused, Narendra alias Naresh Kumar, had joined as a polisher a month prior and was staying on the premises. He allegedly committed the theft with an accomplice, Kuldeep, before fleeing to Rajasthan, where police later traced and apprehended them.
These incidents highlight a pattern of employee-related thefts in Bengaluru's jewellery sector, underscoring the need for vigilant hiring practices and robust security measures. Business owners are urged to heed police advice to protect their establishments from similar occurrences.
