Rajasthan Police Capture All-Female Theft Ring from Madhya Pradesh with Stolen Jewellery
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Jaipur, March 13 (NationPress) - In a significant operation, the Rajasthan Police in Bhilwara have apprehended an all-female gang of thieves who reportedly made their way from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan to pilfer jewellery from bustling religious events, opting to ingest the stolen goods to avoid detection.
Seven women were taken into custody by the Rajasthan Police following a report of theft during a temple ceremony in Kotri.
During a medical check-up, an X-ray examination revealed a mangalsutra and multiple gold beads inside the stomach of one woman, astonishing the medical staff.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shanu (31), Vratika (20), Barji Bai (52), Basanti (60), Maina (28), Payal (20), and Sapna (32), all hailing from villages in Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh.
Interestingly, the gang comprised elderly women who were actively engaged in the thefts.
As per Kotri police station in-charge Mahaveer Meena, the theft occurred during a massive congregation at the Charbhuja Temple on the occasion of Sheetla Saptami.
While hundreds of devotees gathered for the Rangotsav celebration, the gang allegedly focused on targeting women in the throng. A local resident, Radha Ahir, reported that her gold mangalsutra and a necklace with six gold beads were stolen from her during the chaos of the gathering.
Upon filing the complaint, the police reviewed CCTV footage and identified clues suggesting that the suspects were not from the area. During a night patrol, officers encountered seven suspicious women in a car and subsequently detained them for further interrogation. The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody.
During the interrogation, the women purportedly admitted to the thefts and were officially arrested on Thursday evening. As part of the ongoing investigation, all suspects underwent a medical examination. An X-ray revealed a metallic object lodged inside Sapna’s stomach.
She was then transferred to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, where medical professionals successfully extracted the stolen mangalsutra and gold beads.
Authorities stated that the gang intentionally swallowed or concealed the jewellery right after stealing it to dodge detection during searches. Investigators are now probing whether the accused have been involved in similar thefts at other crowded events across the region.