Man Posing as Jain Monk Steals Rs 1 Crore Kalash from Red Fort Event

Authorities have apprehended Bhushan Verma in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, for the theft of a gold and diamond-encrusted ‘kalash’ valued at Rs 1 crore from a religious ceremony near the Red Fort. The crime branch made the arrest late Sunday night. Following the theft, investigations were launched amid rumors of multiple ‘kalash’ being stolen, leading to raids in various cities. Verma was identified through surveillance footage. The ongoing Jain event near the Red Fort, running from August 28 to September 9, mandates specific attire, including a dhoti and ‘ang vastra’. Bhushan Verma, a resident of Asoda village, is known for stealing religious artifacts and has prior offenses at Delhi’s Lal Mandir and an Ashok Vihar temple. Five cases are registered against him. Police found an urn-like object at his residence. Verma, dressed as a Jain monk, infiltrated the event on September 3. During a welcoming ceremony for Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, he took advantage of the distraction to steal the two gold urns, worth Rs 1.5 crore. One urn held a gold-covered coconut (760 grams), while the other was adorned with precious stones. Businessman Sudhir Jain had brought these urns for the puja, and they were stored in the kitchen area.