Firozabad: Police in Tundla, Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested a father-son duo for allegedly stealing a gold chain from a shopkeeper after convincing him that they could remove his ‘Manglik Dosha’ through a religious remedy. According to police, the suspects used the alleged ritual as a pretext to obtain the gold chain and then fled from the shop.
The stolen 11.5-gram gold chain and an unregistered Pulsar motorcycle allegedly used in the incident have been recovered, police said. The arrested suspects have been identified as Girendra, a resident of Lalpur in Etah district, and his son Ritesh.
How the Alleged Gold Chain Theft Took Place
The incident reportedly occurred on August 24 at Kaju Collection in the Jeevani Nagar area of Tundla.
According to the complaint, one of the accused had allegedly been visiting the shop owner, Kartik Nouhwar, for several days. He reportedly claimed that he could remove Kartik’s ‘Manglik Dosha’ and offered a supposed remedy.
The accused allegedly asked Kartik to prepare a ball of wheat dough and place his gold chain inside it. He then allegedly told the shopkeeper that throwing the dough ball from the roof would complete the remedy.
Trusting the claim, Kartik allegedly handed over his gold chain. The accused then allegedly took the chain and fled from the shop.
Police Recover Gold Chain and Motorcycle
Following the alleged theft, Kartik approached Tundla police and lodged a complaint. Police subsequently began investigating the incident and working to identify the suspects.
According to police, investigators received information about the suspects through an informant on Friday. A team then conducted an operation near an old railway tin shed and an abandoned structure close to New Railway Colony.
Two suspects were detained from the area.
During the search, police allegedly recovered the gold chain reported stolen by the shopkeeper. An unregistered Pulsar motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects during the incident was also recovered.
Father and Son Identified as Accused
Police identified the arrested suspects as Girendra and his son Ritesh.
Investigators are questioning the two to establish their alleged roles in the incident and determine whether they may have been involved in similar offences in other areas.
The recovered jewellery and motorcycle are being treated as evidence as police continue to examine the circumstances of the alleged theft.
Son Has Previous Criminal Cases
Police said Ritesh has previously been named in several criminal cases registered in Lucknow, Etah and Ghaziabad.
Investigators are examining his previous criminal history and checking whether there are any links between those cases and the current investigation. Police are also looking into whether other people may have been involved in similar alleged offences.
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How Superstition Can Be Used to Commit Fraud
Cases involving alleged fake religious or astrological remedies can rely heavily on trust and psychological influence. A suspect may claim to have a solution for an alleged astrological problem, health concern or other personal difficulty and then persuade a victim to hand over money or valuables as part of a supposed ritual.
In this case, police allege that the claim of removing ‘Manglik Dosha’ was used to persuade the shopkeeper to hand over his gold chain.
The incident highlights why people should be cautious when strangers claim to offer guaranteed solutions to personal or religious concerns, particularly when they ask for jewellery, cash or other valuables as part of a ritual.
Investigation Into Other Possible Crimes Continues
Police are questioning the arrested father and son about their alleged activities, associates and possible involvement in other incidents. Investigators are also examining the recovered motorcycle and other evidence gathered during the operation.
The accused are being produced before the court following the required legal procedures. Further action will depend on the evidence collected during the investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.
About the author — Ananya Aradhya writes on cybercrime, fraud, scams, cybersecurity, digital safety, and emerging threats. Her work also covers major criminal cases, financial frauds, consumer scams, and stories that highlight risks affecting people in the real and digital world.
