261 jerseys allegedly sold to online dealer under pretense of stock clearance
MUMBAI – July 29 – In a bizarre theft case tied to online gambling, a 40-year-old security guard stationed at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium has been accused of stealing IPL jerseys worth ₹6.52 lakh from the BCCI office storeroom to support his gambling addiction.
According to a report by The Times of India, the accused, Farooque Aslam Khan, allegedly stole a carton of 261 jerseys from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) storeroom on June 13. The theft was discovered only recently during an internal audit, prompting the BCCI to lodge an official complaint with Marine Drive police on July 17.
Jerseys Sold to Online Dealer in Haryana
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, authorities reportedly observed Khan carrying a box suspected to contain the stolen merchandise. Investigations later revealed that he had sold the jerseys online to a dealer in Haryana, whom he connected with via social media.
The dealer allegedly told police he was unaware that the jerseys were stolen and believed the transaction to be a legitimate stock clearance, based on Khan’s claim that the BCCI office was undergoing renovation.
Police have since recovered 50 jerseys, but the total sum received by Khan remains unclear.
“The guard claims he haggled a bit with the online dealer, but he hasn’t yet specified how much he got for the deal,” a police source told TOI.
Online Gambling Addiction Cited as Motive
Khan reportedly confessed to police that the motive behind the theft was his growing online gambling addiction. He admitted to losing all the proceeds from the sale of the jerseys on gambling platforms.
“He claims he lost it all to online gambling,” the source added.
The police are continuing their investigation into both Khan and the online buyer. So far, no charges have been filed against the dealer, pending further verification of his involvement.
Questions Linger Around the Jerseys
There is still no official confirmation on whether the jerseys were intended for IPL players or for fans. Each shirt is valued at approximately ₹2,500. Authorities are also trying to determine whether any internal lapses or security failings allowed the theft to go undetected for over a month.
The incident raises fresh concerns around stadium security and the growing link between gambling addiction and petty theft – particularly in high-value sporting environments.