New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) The Delhi Police has arrested three men, including the main accused, in connection with the theft of multiple gold ‘kalash’ from a Jain religious ceremony near the Red Fort and recovered stolen items worth more than Rs 1.5 crore, an official said on Monday.

The incident occurred on September 3 at the Jain Parv Pandal, set up at the 15 August Park near the Red Fort, during the ongoing Jain Samaj’s Daslakshan Mahaparv (August 28–September 9).

According to the police, the accused, identified as Bhushan Verma (50), a resident of Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, stole three gold ceremonial items — a large ‘jhari’ (urn), a ‘jag’ (pitcher) and a ‘bariyal’ (container) — from the stage. While one intact urn weighing around 725 grams has been recovered.

Police sources said that a significant portion of the other stolen articles was melted down by his associates.

“Verma was arrested from Hapur during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday after a swift intelligence-led operation by the crime branch. His associates — Gaurav Kumar Verma and Ankit Patil, both residents of Hapur in Ghaziabad — were also apprehended for their role in receiving and melting the stolen gold, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Pankaj Kumar Singh said.

Police said the recovered property includes the golden ‘jhari’, around 100 grams of melted gold, Rs 10,400 in cash, and instruments used to melt the stolen articles.

The estimated value of the recovery is around Rs 1 crore, though the total valuation of the stolen items, including the melted articles, is believed to exceed Rs 1.5 crore.

The theft was reported to police on September 3 during evening prayers at the pandal. A complaint was lodged at Kotwali police station by Sudhir Jain, a businessman from Civil Lines, who said the golden urns were carried daily for rituals. An FIR was registered under and further investigation was immediately launched.

The police said the theft was carried out around the time when the gathering’s attention was diverted towards welcoming Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was present as a guest.

“With assistance from CCTV footage from the pandal, investigators identified Verma as the prime suspect. He conducted a complete recce of the area, identified loopholes of security and executed his plan. He was earlier arrested in a 2016 theft case at BLK Hospital, where he was caught red-handed stealing purses,” said the officer.

The tracked Verma to his residence in Hapur. After sustained surveillance, a raid was conducted in which Verma was apprehended and the golden ‘jhari’ recovered. His associates, Gaurav and Ankit, were arrested soon after.

Police said Verma posed as a priest, wearing traditional attire to merge seamlessly with the devotees. He avoided carrying a mobile phone to reduce digital traces. For two to three days before the theft, he conducted reconnaissance of the pandal, studying security gaps, crowd flow, and CCTV coverage.

“On the day of the incident, he dressed like a priest, sat on the stage near the urns, and quietly took away the gold articles,” said the officer.

Verma later roped in his associate Ankit Patil to melt two of the stolen articles, while Gaurav Verma acted as the receiver of the melted gold.

Sharing roles about the accused, the police said Bhushan Verma planned and executed the theft. Patil, acted as mediator, responsible for melting the stolen articles and facilitating disposal and Gaurav Kumar Verma, receiver, who took custody of the melted gold and cash.

Verma’s criminal history includes a case registered against him at Prasad Nagar police station, where he was arrested for theft at BLK Hospital.

Further raids are underway in Ghaziabad and Hapur to identify jewellers and other receivers linked to the racket. PTI SSJ BM NB