In a rather shocking turn of events, IPL 2025 jerseys worth ₹6.5 lakh were reportedly stolen from the BCCI’s office at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. According to a Times of India report, a 40-year-old security guard, Farooque Aslam Khan, has been arrested in connection with the theft. Khan allegedly stole 261 jerseys, each valued at around ₹2,500, to fuel his addiction to online gambling.
The theft occurred on June 13 but remained undetected until an internal audit revealed discrepancies in the jersey inventory. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, BCCI officials spotted Khan exiting the premises with a box containing the missing jerseys. This discovery prompted the board to file a formal complaint with the Marine Drive Police Station on July 17.
Investigations revealed that Khan had sold the stolen jerseys to an online dealer based in Haryana, whom he had connected with via social media. He reportedly told the dealer that the merchandise was part of a stock clearance sale due to ongoing renovation work at the office.
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While the exact amount Khan received for the jerseys remains unclear, he has claimed that the payment was directly deposited into his bank account, and that he subsequently lost the entire sum to online gambling. “He claims he lost it all to gambling,” a police source confirmed, adding that authorities are currently scrutinising his financial transactions to verify the statement.
A shocking theft at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium saw 261 IPL 2025 jerseys worth ₹6.5 lakh stolen from the BCCI office, as reported by The Times of India. The accused, 40-year-old security guard Farooque Aslam Khan, was arrested after police found he stole the jerseys to fuel his… pic.twitter.com/Yt2uqZ2imR
— JioNews (@JioNews) July 29, 2025
Out of the 261 stolen jerseys, 50 have been recovered so far. The police have summoned the online dealer from Haryana for questioning. According to initial reports, the dealer has claimed ignorance, stating that he was unaware the jerseys were stolen.
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It remains uncertain whether the stolen jerseys were meant for the players or for retail distribution. The incident has raised serious questions about internal security at one of India cricket’s most prestigious venues, especially as preparations are already underway for the upcoming IPL season.
