Security Guard Arrested for Wankhede Stadium Theft
261 IPL 2025 jerseys valued at about ₹6.5 lakh were stolen from the BCCI office within Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The police nabbed Farooq Aslam Khan, a security guard, in relation to the case.
Online Gambling Habit Leads to Theft in Investigation
Khan was addicted to online betting, the police said. His habit, allegedly, convinced him to steal the jerseys. He had stolen the jerseys in bits and pieces and then turned to an online dealer from Haryana on social media to sell them.
Jerseys Sold through Courier, Purpose Still Unclear
The jerseys, which were stolen from other IPL teams, were couriered to the buyer. Nevertheless, it is not certain yet if the jerseys were for players or supporters. Khan said that the jerseys were sold as a stock clearance since renovation work was taking place in the office.
Audit Uncovers Theft Weeks Later
The incident took place on June 13, but had gone unnoticed till an internal audit was conducted. BCCI officials observed missing stock in the storeroom. On watching CCTV footage, they found Khan taking away a box full of jerseys.
Police Recover Partial Stock, Probe Continues
Police have until now retrieved 50 jerseys. They also called in the Haryana-based dealer, who claimed not to know the jerseys were stolen. According to him, Khan had presented the sale as clearance on a regular basis. The price at which the jerseys were sold remains unknown.
Accused Lost All Money in Online Betting
The accused told police that the money was deposited into his bank account directly, but he subsequently lost everything on online betting. Police are currently studying his accounts to look for additional evidence.
Official Complaint Filed
On July 17, BCCI officials registered an official complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Probes into the extent of the robbery continue.
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