In a surprising turn of events, a major theft has rocked Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. A security manager working at the stadium has been caught stealing official IPL team jerseys worth ₹6.5 lakh from the BCCI’s merchandise store located within the premises.
The accused, identified as 40-year-old Farooque Aslam Khan, was reportedly battling a severe gambling addiction, which ultimately pushed him to commit the crime. The theft took place on June 13 but came to light only after a routine stock audit revealed discrepancies. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, BCCI officials were stunned to find Khan casually walking out of the stadium carrying a carton full of jerseys.
The stolen merchandise included jerseys from several popular franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and others. In total, 261 jerseys — each worth around ₹2,500 — were taken. Khan allegedly sold these kits to a dealer in Haryana to earn quick cash, using the money to fund his online gambling losses.
Police investigations have so far led to the recovery of about 50 stolen IPL jerseys, and efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining items. The incident has raised serious concerns about internal security and inventory management at the stadium, especially given the scale and value of the stolen goods.
This incident highlights the dark side of addiction and the lengths to which individuals might go when consumed by financial desperation. It also serves as a wake-up call for sports organizations to tighten internal checks and improve monitoring mechanisms.
For cricket lovers and IPL fans, the theft is not only shocking but disappointing — a reminder that even the most trusted spaces can be vulnerable to breaches from within.