At least 13 thefts totaling ₹12.4 lakh were reported during the grand oath-taking ceremony of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Azad Maidan on Thursday. The victims, who lost gold chains, cash, and other valuables, have filed complaints with the police, prompting an ongoing investigation.
The event, which attracted over 50,000 attendees, including celebrities and dignitaries, saw a surge in thefts as people navigated the crowded venue. The police have registered 13 FIRs under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits.
Among the victims was Shivaji Gawali, a 64-year-old resident of Kandivali, who noticed his 30-gram gold chain missing after leaving the event. Other individuals, including Jaydevi Upadhyay from Andheri and Santosh Lachke from Fort, reported stolen gold chains of varying weights. Cash thefts were also widespread, with Anant Koli from Vile Parle losing ₹20,000 and Nitin Kale from Solapur losing ₹57,000.
The ceremony, attended by stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, became an easy target for thieves taking advantage of the chaos. Police have also noted a pattern of similar thefts occurring at crowded public events, including concerts, festivals, and political rallies.
Authorities are working to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen goods, urging the public to remain vigilant and safeguard their belongings in crowded spaces.
