BHOPAL/JABALPUR: In one of the biggest jewellery thefts reported in the state in recent times, burglars broke into the Kisna Jewellers showroom in Katni ’s Bargawan area, near LIC, and decamped with gold and diamond ornaments estimated to be worth Rs 12-15 crore. The thieves allegedly drilled through a nearly nine-inch-thick wall at the rear of the showroom and cleared out jewellery kept in display counters and safes.




The theft came to light around 11am on Thursday, when the showroom manager arrived to open the premises. The shutter is linked to an alarm system that must be switched off within a minute of opening. While doing so, the manager noticed that the interiors were in complete disarray and alerted the owner's family.




“From what we can understand at this stage, the thieves have virtually cleaned out the entire showroom. The preliminary estimate of the stock kept here is around Rs 12-15 crore. Every item entering or leaving the showroom is recorded in our computer system. The exact value will be known only after the accounts team completes the verification,” said owner Mohan Bajaj.




Bajaj said the showroom had a watchman, CCTV cameras around the premises and an alarm system, yet the burglars managed to break in through the rear wall.




“There is a watchman and cameras are installed around the premises. An alarm system is also in place. The wall through which the burglars broke in was around nine inches thick. Despite these arrangements, the theft took place,” he said.




Bajaj added that he had not yet entered the showroom, as police and investigators were examining the premises.




Superintendent of Police Abhinav Vishwakarma inspected the spot and said the preliminary investigation suggested that the burglary took place between 4am and 7am on November 12. The thieves broke through the rear wall, entered the showroom and targeted the safes and display counters, he said.




The additional jewellery stock kept for the Diwali season is believed to have increased the value of the loot. Police are verifying the inventory to establish the exact quantity and value of the stolen ornaments.




Police have seized CCTV footage from inside the showroom and are examining recordings from cameras along nearby roads and other strategic locations to trace the suspects' movements and escape route. A forensic team and fingerprint experts inspected the premises and collected evidence.




Multiple police teams have been formed to identify and track down the burglars. Investigators are also examining how the thieves breached the rear wall and escaped with such a large haul despite the showroom's security arrangements.