By Krishna Dua 
Delhi Police Cracks High-Profile Golden Kalash Heist Case
New Delhi, September 8, 2025 — In a major breakthrough that has captured national attention, the Delhi Police have apprehended the individual responsible for the audacious theft of a priceless golden ‘kalash’ (ceremonial urn) valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore. The suspect, identified as Bhushan Verma, was arrested from his hideout in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, bringing a swift end to a case that had raised serious questions about security at a venue of national importance. The arrest and recovery of the sacred artifact have brought a sense of relief to the Jain community and the public.
The Crime: An Act of Calculated Audacity
The theft took place on September 3, 2025, during the “Das Lakshan Mahaparv,” a significant 10-day Jain religious festival. The event was being held at the August 15 Park, located directly across from the historic Red Fort. The venue, typically a site of national events, was transformed into a spiritual gathering place for the festival, attracting thousands of devotees and numerous high-profile dignitaries.
The centerpiece of the daily rituals was the golden kalash, a family heirloom belonging to a prominent Delhi-based businessman, Sudhir Kumar Jain. The kalash was no ordinary vessel; it was a magnificent artifact crafted from 760 grams of pure gold and adorned with 150 grams of precious diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Its value was estimated at over ₹1 crore, though for the Jain community, its religious and sentimental worth was considered incalculable. Mr. Jain had been bringing the kalash to the venue daily for the puja ceremonies.
The theft itself was an act of calculated audacity. The accused, Bhushan Verma, managed to slip into the highly-secured premises by disguising himself as a devotee. Dressed in a traditional dhoti-kurta, he blended seamlessly with the crowd. His opportunity arose at approximately 9:26 A.M. when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived at the venue as a special guest. The commotion and attention directed towards the dignitary’s ceremonial welcome created a momentary lapse in focus among the organizers and devotees.
Seizing this precise moment, Verma made his move. He approached the main stage, where the golden kalash was prominently displayed, and discreetly placed it into a green and black cloth bag he was carrying. Within minutes, he had vanished into the crowd, leaving the event without anyone noticing the priceless artifact was gone until much later. The theft was not discovered until an hour later, at 10:20 A.M., when Mr. Jain went to retrieve the kalash to conclude the day’s rituals.
The Manhunt: From CCTV Footage to a Cross-State Operation
Once the theft was reported, the Delhi Police launched an immediate and extensive investigation. The case was assigned to a specialized team from the Crime Branch, which collaborated closely with officers from the Kotwali Police Station. The police’s first and most critical step was to meticulously analyze the extensive CCTV footage from the event venue and the surrounding areas.
The footage provided a clear visual record of the crime. Investigators were able to trace the suspect’s movements from the moment he entered the venue to his departure. The cameras captured him placing the kalash in his bag and walking away. This visual evidence was instrumental in identifying the suspect. The police used human intelligence and technical surveillance to put a name to the face captured on camera: Bhushan Verma.
Further investigation revealed that Verma was a habitual offender with a history of similar crimes. The police learned that he had been frequenting the venue for several days prior to the theft, performing reconnaissance and mingling with the event organizers to avoid suspicion. He was an outsider to the Jain community, and his deliberate disguise was a key part of his plan to execute the theft undetected.
With Verma identified and his movements reconstructed, the police launched a manhunt. Acting on a tip-off about his location, multiple police teams were dispatched to Hapur, in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh. The operation culminated in the successful apprehension of Verma. Upon his arrest, the stolen golden kalash was recovered, bringing a sense of closure to the case and a wave of relief to the victim and the Jain community.
A Community’s Relief and Questions of Security
The theft of the golden kalash had sent shockwaves through the Jain community. The artifact was not just a symbol of wealth; it was a revered item of faith. Organizers and devotees expressed profound sadness and anger over the security lapse at the Red Fort, a site that is typically under extremely tight security. The incident raised serious questions about the security protocols in place for private events held at such sensitive national monuments.
The swift arrest of Bhushan Verma and the recovery of the kalash have been hailed as a major victory for the Delhi Police. The success of the operation has reassured the public and the community that justice will be served. A case has been registered against Verma under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and he is currently undergoing questioning to determine if he had any accomplices or if this was part of a larger criminal network. The police are confident that with the accused in custody and the stolen item recovered, the case will be brought to a swift and successful conclusion. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present need for vigilance, even in the most secure and sacred of spaces.