Rs 15Cr Theft Foiled At Bhopal Museum As Thief Falls While Scaling 25Ft Wall To Escape, Hurts Himself

PTI reported that police have seized over 100 coins from the thief’s possession. The seizures included 98 gold and metal coins dating from the Gupta age to the Mughal period.

The security spotted him and alerted the police, which reached there promptly and surrounded the building.

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A thief's attempt to flee with artefacts worth Rs 15 crore from a Madhya Pradesh museum failed when he tried to scale a 25-foot wall to escape, but fell and injured himself instead. Accused Vinay Yadav, 49, had hidden himself inside the State Museum in Bhopal on Monday, just before closing hours, with a plan to steal precious artefacts after the museum shut down for the day. He was caught on Tuesday morning after security spotted him lying injured and alerted the police. He was found to have stolen dozens of coins, including those dating back to the Gupta and Mughal periods.

According to a report in The Times Of India, Yadav hails from Gaya, Bihar, and claims to be a small-time farmer. He has reportedly told police that he first visited the museum six months ago during a visit to the city.

PTI reported that police have seized over 100 coins from the thief’s possession. The seizures included 98 gold and metal coins dating from the Gupta age to the Mughal period, 75 silver coins of various sizes, 38 copper coins, one gold medal, and 12 mixed-metal medals, India Today reported. The artefacts had an approximate market value of Rs 15 crore.

‘Unsuccessful Escape’

Bhopal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Riyaz Iqbal told India Today that, when the thief was questioned, he said he purchased a ticket for the museum on Monday and hid behind a staircase when the premises closed for the day. While inside, he spotted a few home and private guards patrolling outside. After his theft, he tried to climb a 25-ft wall but was unsuccessful, and fell and injured himself. 

Iqbal said the security arrangements in the museum were substandard, which probably eased the theft. Some security cameras didn’t work, and the entry door was weak, making it easy to open with one push, he added.