September 8, 2025 — Delhi Police have arrested Bhushan Verma, a resident of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the theft of two golden ‘kalash’ (urns) and other valuables worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore.
The incident occurred during a Jain religious event held near the Red Fort on September 3.
The stolen items included a large golden ‘jhari’ (urn) weighing around 760 grams and a smaller 115-gram gold ‘jhari’ studded with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. These sacred vessels are integral to Jain rituals and were brought daily by businessman Sudhir Jain for the ongoing ‘Daslakshan Mahaparv,’ a 10-day religious observance that began on August 28.
Surveillance footage revealed that the thief, disguised as a Jain priest, blended into the crowd and seized the valuables during a moment when attendees’ attention shifted to welcome a visiting parliamentarian. The suspect was identified as Bhushan Verma, who had reportedly attended the event on multiple occasions prior to the theft.
Following an extensive investigation, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch apprehended Verma in Hapur late Sunday night. The stolen kalash has been recovered, and further questioning is underway.
This incident has raised concerns about security measures at religious events, particularly in high-profile locations such as the Red Fort. Authorities have pledged to enhance surveillance and implement stricter protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
