Theft: Man held with Rs 15 cr artefacts after theft bid at museum | Bhopal News - Times of India

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Man held with Rs 15 cr artefacts after theft bid at museum

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TNN / Sep 3, 2024, 21:51 IST

Bhopal: In a major theft incident reported at the State Museum in Shyamla Hills, a 49-year-old man from Gaya, Bihar, was apprehended after he allegedly attempted to steal artefacts valued at approximately Rs 15 crore. The suspect had entered the museum on Sunday after purchasing a ticket and hid behind a staircase when the museum was closed in the evening.

On Monday, when the museum was closed for a holiday, he stole valuable gold and silver artefacts and attempted to escape by scaling a 25-foot boundary wall. However, he fell from the wall and sustained injuries. On Tuesday, when the museum reopened, he was found lying injured near the wall and was subsequently captured by museum guards and Shyamla Hills police.

DCP (Zone-3) Riyaz Iqbal said that in the morning on Tuesday, Shyamla Hills Police received information regarding a possible theft at the State Museum. SHO Shyamla Hills Ghumendra Singh and his team rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered that two rooms had their locks broken, and valuable items, including gold and silver archaeological jewellery, coins, and other artefacts, were missing. Museum staff reported that the museum had been closed since Sunday evening and remained closed on Monday due to a scheduled holiday. During closures, all rooms inside the museum are securely locked and sealed. Following standard protocol, the police immediately sealed all exit gates and conducted a thorough search of the museum premises, dividing into three to four search teams.
DCP Iqbal said that during the search operation, an injured suspect was found near a 25-foot high wall, apparently after a failed attempt to escape. The suspect, identified as Vinod Yadav, 49, a resident of Gaya, Bihar, was found in possession of a bag containing the stolen gold and silver artefacts, with an estimated value of around Rs 15 crore.

DCP Iqbal said that the nabbed accused Vinod Yadav confessed that he had entered the State Museum on Sunday afternoon by purchasing a ticket and hid inside. A few hours later, when the museum was locked, he noticed the presence of both home guards and private security guards patrolling outside. He tried to escape by jumping over a 25-foot wall but failed.

Yadav revealed that he had visited the museum six months ago. He was accompanying a kin, who had come to Bhopal to appear in NEET exam. The suspect had observed that the CCTV cameras and alarm systems were non-functional, and the doors were weak, making it easier for him to commit the theft.
Police said that upon receiving information about the theft bid, senior police officials, including Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra along with teams from FSL, fingerprint experts, and a dog squad, arrived at the museum to inspect the crime scene.

Under the leadership of senior officers, the police teams conducted a scientific examination of the crime scene. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and a team was dispatched to the suspect's residence in Gaya, Bihar, to investigate the possibility of involvement of more people and gather additional evidence.
Police Commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra announced a cash reward of Rs 30,000 for the police team in recognition of their prompt and effective action.

GFX

Seized items

Gold and Metal Coins: 98 coins dating from the Gupta to Mughal periods, varying in size
Silver Coins: 75 coins of various sizes
Copper Coins: 38 coins of various sizes
Gold Medal: 1
Mixed Metal Medals: 12
Precious Articles: Items made of silver and mixed metals from the Royal Gallery
Estimated Value: Rs 12 to 15 crore