Bengaluru: A 41-year-old man accused of stealing gold ornaments worth over ₹1 crore from wedding halls across Bengaluru has been arrested by Avalahalli Police. Investigators said the accused, allegedly driven by an addiction to online gaming and gambling, posed as a wedding guest before targeting unattended rooms.
Police recovered 340 grams of gold ornaments and a car used in the crimes, together valued at around ₹47 lakh.
Wedding halls targeted across Bengaluru
The accused, identified as B. Aseef, a resident of Bidarahalli near Kadugodi, was wanted in five theft cases. Four of the cases were registered within Avalahalli Police Station limits, while one was reported under Bagalur Police Station.
According to police, Aseef would attend weddings posing as a guest and enter unlocked guest rooms, stealing jewellery and other valuables before leaving unnoticed.
One of the major thefts involved a US-based doctor, who lost 725 grams of gold ornaments during her nephew’s wedding held at a marriage hall near Old Madras Road in Bidarahalli in the last week of April 2026.
Addiction led to crime, say police
Police said Aseef previously worked selling credit cards and SIM cards, but quit his job after developing an addiction to online gaming.
Investigators said he admitted using the stolen gold to finance online games and gambling while also supporting his family. The accused is married and has three children.
Police recovered part of the stolen jewellery after tracing ornaments that had been sold or pledged at two jewellery shops in Hoskote.
Arrest made after suspicious behaviour
The breakthrough came on July 8, when Aseef was caught inside a marriage hall near Katamnallur Cross after guests noticed him behaving suspiciously near the guest rooms on the first floor.
Further investigation linked him to thefts at wedding halls and a farmhouse in Katamnallur Cross, Budigere Cross and Bagalur.
Police have registered cases against the accused under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are continuing the investigation to recover the remaining stolen ornaments.