Woman’s purse stolen amid rush at Ahmedabad railway station; gold jewellery, cash worth ₹1.05 lakh missing

A 71-year-old retired man has complained to the Ahmedabad Railway Police after his wife’s purse containing gold jewellery and cash worth over ₹1.05 lakh was allegedly stolen amid the evening rush at Ahmedabad railway station earlier this year.

According to the complaint, Marunam Karthikeya, a resident of Naranpura, was travelling with his wife Varshaben on the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 22961) on September 2, 2025. The couple was seated in coach C-05, seats 15 and 16. The train arrived at Ahmedabad railway station around 9.15 pm and halted at platform number 5.

After disembarking with their luggage, the couple proceeded towards the Sabarmati-side exit staircase and stepped out of the station premises while enquiring about an autorickshaw near Honest Restaurant. Around 9.30 pm, they noticed that the chain of Varshaben’s yellow handbag, which was slung over her shoulder, was open.

On checking the bag, they found that three small purses kept inside were missing. The stolen items included a white purse containing a gold mangalsutra weighing about 10 grams, a maroon purse holding a gold chain with a pendant weighing about 9 grams and a gold bracelet weighing approximately 1.95 grams, as well as a yellow purse containing ₹30,000 in cash. The total value of the stolen property has been estimated at ₹1.05 lakh 

The complainant stated that an unidentified thief took advantage of the heavy passenger rush while they were exiting the station and committed the theft without his wife noticing it.

Initially, the couple checked the surroundings but could not trace the missing items. CCTV footage from Ahmedabad railway station was later examined on September 4, but no suspicious activity was detected. Suspecting that the theft may have occurred earlier during the journey, Karthikeya had also approached the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Mumbai Central with a zero-number complaint. After procedural formalities, the complaint was returned and subsequently registered at the Ahmedabad Railway Police Station.

Based on the complaint, the railway police have registered a case under Section of the BNS citing repeated theft, and initiated further investigation to trace the unidentified accused. Police said efforts are underway to review additional CCTV footage and identify suspects involved in the incident.