New Delhi: A golden kalash worth Rs 1.5 crore has been stolen from a religious event being held near Red Fort. No arrest has been made yet.After receiving a PCR call on Wednesday, police found that the kalash was brought daily by a businessman from Civil Lines for a religious ritual being held at a pandal from Aug 28 to Sept 9. The artefact is made of 760 grams of gold and embellished with 150 grams of diamonds, rubies and emeralds. On the day of the incident, it was placed at the worship site as devotees gathered around. Sources said a parliamentarian was expected to attend the ceremony on Wednesday and the theft was noticed shortly after the crowd’s attention shifted to welcome the dignitary. A few bags have also gone missing, said police.CCTV footage showed a man, posing as a devotee, walking away with a bag, in which police suspect the kalash was hidden. He has been identified, police said.While there were claims that the theft occurred on the Red Fort premises, DCP (north) Raja Banthia clarified that it took place at a puja pandal set up outside the monument. People from across the city had come together for the event, sources said. Initial investigation suggests that the suspect visited the venue for several days posing as a devotee. He allegedly mingled with organisers and other attendees, gradually gaining their trust. They allowed him to move freely and eventually access the main stage where the kalash was kept. Police believe that the man used the organisers’ trust to go close to the kalash without raising any suspicion and stole it. An FIR under Section 303(2) (theft) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered at Kotwali police station.
