A news-style illustration shows a salesman discreetly stealing a gold bracelet and a mangalsutra inside a closed jewelry shop, highlighting alleged retail theft and shoplifting in the jewelry industry.
Ahmedabad : Vastrapur police arrested a sales executive for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth Rs 5.8 lakh from a jewellery showroom at Palladium Mall in Thaltej. Soni had been employed at Aura Fine Jewellery Art for nearly 10 months, according to police. In a complaint lodged by showroom manager Rameshkumar Singh, it was alleged that on Aug 17, after the showroom closed, Soni told the store manager that he had left his bag inside and requested the keys to the premises. Police said Soni allegedly used the opportunity to enter the showroom and steal a diamond-studded gold bangle worth Rs 4.3 lakh, a gold chain valued at Rs 74,481 and a gold mangalsutra worth Rs 76,901. The total value of the stolen jewellery was estimated at Rs 5,80,242. Police records show that 13 cases have been registered against him at various police stations over the past decade.
Investigators said he allegedly sold the stolen jewellery at a shop in Manek Chowk and spent the money on personal expenses and leisure activities. Vastrapur PI Geeta Chaudhary said Soni has a criminal record. The accused, Darshan Soni, is a resident of Nava Vadaj. The theft was captured on CCTV cameras installed inside the showroom. Based on the footage and further investigation, Vastrapur police identified and arrested Soni. The offences reportedly include vehicle theft, house-breaking, prohibition-related violations and other crimes in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Patan, Deesa, and Navsari.
A case has been registered under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway.
Police added that preventive action under PASA had previously been taken against him.