Vastrapur police have arrested a sales executive for allegedly stealing gold and diamond jewellery worth ₹5.90 lakh from the Orra Fine Jewellery showroom at Palladium Mall in Thaltej.
The accused, Darshan Ashwinbhai Soni, a resident of New Wadaj, allegedly took the showroom keys from a colleague on the pretext of retrieving a bag he had left inside the store. Police said he later used the keys to enter the showroom after closing hours and steal the jewellery.
The incident came to light after the showroom manager filed a complaint, following which Vastrapur police registered a case and launched an investigation.
How the Theft Took Place
According to the complaint, showroom employee Mohammad Saqlein Sheikh completed the day’s inventory and locked the store at around 9 pm on August 17, 2026. He then stepped outside the mall for tea.
Soni reportedly approached Sheikh and claimed that he had forgotten his personal bag inside the showroom. Sheikh handed him the keys, which Soni returned about 30 minutes later.
The theft was discovered the next morning at around 11:30 am when employee Urvashi carried out a routine inspection. She found that three valuable ornaments — a bangle, a chain and a mangalsutra — were missing.
CCTV Reveals Suspected Inside Job
When the showroom management checked the CCTV footage, Soni was allegedly seen entering the store at around 10 pm on August 17 and stealing the jewellery.
After consulting senior corporate officials, the management approached Vastrapur police and lodged a complaint.
Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from the mall corridors and entry points to determine whether Soni acted alone or had help from others.
Police are also looking into a possible violation of the company’s standard operating procedures, as the showroom keys were allegedly handed to another employee after closing hours. Sheikh may also be questioned as part of the investigation into the security lapse.