Police in Agra have cracked what they describe as the largest industrial theft in the city’s history, recovering valuables worth ₹7.70 crore from a daring inside job at Roger Shoe Industries, located along the highway area. Investigators say the crime was masterminded by the factory’s own supervisor, who planned the theft to finance a new life with his girlfriend in Bengaluru. Three accused have been arrested and sent to jail.
According to police officials, the prime accused Anupam Sharma, a supervisor at the factory, had detailed knowledge of the premises, including access to lockers, vaults, CCTV placement and security routines. This insider access enabled him to execute the theft with precision before attempting to flee the city.
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The Theft Took Place on January 18 Night
The incident came to light on the night of January 18, when cash and jewellery were found missing from a vault on the first floor of Roger Shoe Industries. Factory owner Deepak Buddhiraja lodged a complaint the following day. Initially, the value of the stolen items was not disclosed in the FIR, leading investigators to treat it as a routine burglary.
During questioning, the owner informed police that renovation work was underway at his Lajpat Kunj residence, due to which his wife Stella Buddhiraja’s jewellery had been temporarily stored in the factory locker for safety.
Value of Jewellery Shocked Investigators
As the probe progressed, police discovered that the jewellery had last been officially valued in 2016 at ₹85 lakh. Based on current market rates, its value had appreciated to over ₹5 crore. In addition to this, the locker contained gold coins, diamond-studded ornaments, silver religious items, silver coins and cash, pushing the total loss into several crores.
CCTV footage recovered from the factory premises showed suspicious movements by an individual familiar with the layout. Combined with internal verification, suspicion soon fell on supervisor Anupam Sharma, a resident of Bateshwar in Bah tehsil.
Accused Confesses During Interrogation
Police detained Sharma for questioning, during which he confessed to planning and executing the theft. Based on his disclosure, police initially recovered ₹66.33 lakh in cash. However, a significant portion of the stolen jewellery was still missing.
Senior officers then formed multiple teams and launched an intensive search operation. Acting on intelligence inputs, police learned that the remaining valuables had been buried underground at a concealed location.
When the jewellery was excavated, officers were stunned by the scale of the recovery. Step-by-step operations eventually led to the recovery of assets worth ₹7.70 crore, including diamonds, gold and cash.
Three Accused Sent to Jail
Police arrested Anupam Sharma, his brother and another associate, all of whom have now been remanded to judicial custody. Investigators revealed that the accused intended to leave Agra immediately after the theft and relocate to Bengaluru, where Sharma planned to start a new life with his girlfriend.
Police Commissioner Praises Investigation Team
Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar said that while cash was recovered early in the investigation, tracing the jewellery required sustained effort. Senior officers set a target of 100% recovery, deploying multiple teams under close supervision.
“The results are now before everyone. This is a complete recovery,” the commissioner said, announcing a ₹25,000 cash reward for the police team involved in cracking the case.
Questions Raised on Industrial Security
The incident has raised serious concerns about internal security mechanisms in industrial units, particularly the level of access granted to supervisory staff. Security experts say sensitive assets should not be stored without multi-layer verification, access audits and periodic background checks of key personnel.
Next Steps
Police said a chargesheet will be filed shortly, and further investigation is underway to determine whether any additional individuals were involved or provided logistical support.
For now, Agra Police consider the case a complete resolution of the city’s biggest factory theft, citing the scale of recovery and swift arrests as a major success.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
