Pune: Karnataka Engineering Topper Nabbed for Jewellery Theft in Pune’s Budhwar Peth
Budhwar Peth, 19th July 2025: In a startling case that has shocked many, a 21-year-old engineering student from Karnataka—once hailed for his academic excellence—has been arrested for stealing jewellery from a shop in Pune’s Budhwar Peth earlier this month. The accused, identified as Likhit J., was traced and apprehended from Kolar district, Karnataka, after a detailed investigation that included the review of nearly 250 CCTV recordings.
The burglary occurred during the night of July 6, when Likhit allegedly entered a second-floor jewellery shop through the bathroom window. He managed to escape with jewellery items estimated to be worth around ₹5 lakh. However, it was later discovered that the stolen items were gold-plated imitation ornaments, each weighing about a gram.
CCTV footage from the vicinity showed the suspect dressed in a white shirt, jeans, and a black mask, with a backpack slung over his shoulder. The next morning, the shop’s owner found signs of forced entry and quickly filed a complaint with the local police.
Police investigations revealed that Likhit, despite not having a criminal past, had been a high-performing student. He had cleared Class 12 with distinction in the science stream and gained admission into an engineering college under the government quota. During questioning, he admitted to orchestrating the heist due to severe financial difficulties at home.
Police found that Likhit had travelled from Karnataka to Pune with the specific intent to commit theft. After scouting the area and identifying the shop, he executed the break-in with a plan to sell the stolen goods and purchase a car and a motorbike. However, his plan unraveled when he realized the ornaments held little market value due to their gold-plated nature.
Though the accused took measures to conceal his identity, such as wearing a mask, he was ultimately traced through an online cab booking made during his stay in Pune. Payment records from the ride led police directly to him. Pune police, with help from Karnataka authorities, travelled to Kolar, where they arrested him.
The accused was brought back to Pune, along with the recovered ornaments. He reportedly confessed during interrogation and was produced before a magistrate, who ordered his police custody until July 19. Authorities are now examining whether Likhit may have been involved in any similar offences elsewhere.
The investigation team included Senior Police Inspector Santosh Pandhare, PI (Crime) Arun Ghodke, API Rajesh Usgaonkar and police personnel Sachin Kadam, Ganesh Kathe, Amol Bhosale, Shailesh Surve, Sachin Ahivale, Ashish Kharat, Rahul More, Anis Sheikh, Shivdutt Gaikwad, Arjun Thorat, Nitin Babar, Sagar More and Prashant Kadam.
