Security Guard's gambling habit fuels Rs 6.5 lakh IPL jersey heist at BCCI office, arrested 

Days after the final of the Indian Premier League 2025, a shocking breach has come to light that unfolded right under its nose at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. In a bizarre twist, a man entrusted with security turned out to be the culprit behind a theft of official team jerseys worth Rs 6.5 lakh.

Heist in the Heart of Indian Cricket

According to a Times of India report, Farooque Aslam Khan, a 40-year-old security guard, allegedly stole 261 IPL jerseys, each valued at around Rs 2,500, from the BCCI store room. The motive? To fund his addiction to online gambling.

The theft occurred on June 13, but it wasn’t until a routine audit revealed missing stock that alarm bells rang. After scrutinizing CCTV footage, BCCI officials spotted Khan walking out with a large box, stuffed with the stolen merchandise.

Social Media Deal and a False Story

Police investigations revealed that Khan sold the jerseys to an online dealer from Haryana, whom he connected with via social media. To justify the sale, he claimed the kits were part of a “stock clearance” due to office renovations.

Interestingly, the dealer has stated he was unaware the jerseys were stolen. So far, 50 out of the 261 jerseys have been recovered, and the remaining are being tracked.

Gambling Away the Gains

Khan reportedly received the payment directly in his bank account but confessed to losing all the money to gambling. Authorities are now investigating his transactions to verify this claim.

The Final Over

The BCCI filed an official complaint at the Marine Drive Police Station on July 17. As cricket’s governing body picks up the pieces, this incident is a stark reminder that even in high-security zones, trust is not to be taken for granted.