Security Guard Turns Thief: ₹1.75 Crore Heist At Lalbaug Jain Temple Solved In 48 Hours

Mumbai: In a shocking case from Lalbaug, a security guard employed at a residential complex turned out to be the mastermind behind a major temple theft. The Kalachowki police have arrested a habitual offender from Madhya Pradesh within 48 hours of the crime, after scanning nearly 300 CCTV cameras.

The accused, identified as Jitendra alias Jitan alias Bunty alias Pandit Nagaich, 34, allegedly stole gold jewellery and a diamond collectively worth Rs1.75 crore from a Jain temple located inside the Avighna Park complex. Police revealed that Nagaich was working as a security guard at the same premises and used his position to plan and execute the theft.

According to the police, the temple belongs to the Avighna State Munisurat Swami Shwetambar Murtipujak Jain Sangh Trust. The marble idol of Bhagwan Simandhar Swami was adorned with gold and diamond-studded ornaments worth Rs1.75 crore.

Nagaich had been working as a security guard at Avighna Park complex for about a month. He was appointed through a private security agency based in Mira Road, despite having a serious criminal background. While on duty, Nagaich noticed the valuables and began conducting a recce, gathering crucial details such as the temple’s operational hours, which are from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Investigations revealed that he used his position to carefully study the temple’s routine and security arrangements before executing the theft.

In the early hours of March 30, at around 3:00 am, Nagaich broke open the temple door latch and fled with the ornaments. The theft came to light when the priest arrived in the morning to open the temple and found the valuables missing, triggering panic within the complex. The incident was promptly reported to the Kalachowki police.

Taking the matter seriously, Deputy Commissioner of Police R. Ragasudha formed four special teams to investigate the case. Based on a complaint filed by temple trust member Jayesh Jain, 51, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. The investigation was led by Senior Police Inspector Vijaykumar Shinde.

Police teams meticulously examined footage from around 300 CCTV cameras, which helped identify the suspect. Further investigation into his movement led officers to a hotel where he had stayed; his mobile number was obtained from an online payment record. Technical analysis of the mobile data revealed that he had fled to his native village in Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh.

Despite switching off his phone, police tracked his last known location and questioned his sister, Kalpana. She informed them that Nagaich was hiding at a relative’s house and planning to escape to Nepal. Acting swiftly, two police teams were dispatched to Madhya Pradesh.

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With the help of local police, Nagaich was eventually located hiding on a rooftop. On sensing police presence, he attempted to flee by jumping across terraces, but was chased down and apprehended in a dramatic operation. Police also confirmed that the entire stolen property has been recovered.

Investigations revealed that Nagaich is a habitual offender with 17 criminal cases registered against him in Madhya Pradesh, including theft, robbery, attempted murder, and illegal possession of arms. He had been released on bail in one such case just two months ago. Despite his serious criminal background, he was hired barely a month ago through a private security agency based in Mira Road, an official said.

Officials further stated that Nagaich had used multiple aliases Jitan, Bunty, and Pandit in previous offences, which initially made it difficult to trace his criminal history under his real name.

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